Between Punishment and Partnership: An Analysis of State-Civil Society Relations in Nigeria’s Counterterrorism Efforts

Abstract

This paper examines state-civil society relations within the context of counterterrorism efforts in
Nigeria, focusing on the dual narrative of “continuous contentiousness” and “conditional
cooperation.” It explores how the Nigerian government often frames Civil Society Organisations
(CSOs) as complicit in extremist activities, resulting in stringent regulatory measures that
undermine their ability to deliver humanitarian and peace-building services. Despite this
adversarial posture, instances of collaboration exist, particularly in resource distribution, deradicalisation programmes, and advocacy for human rights. Employing Conflict Theory as its
analytical framework, the study identifies the root of these tensions in the contest for power and
dominance, with the state prioritising national security while CSOs emphasise human needs. The
paper utilises qualitative data from secondary sources and a theoretical analysis of
counterterrorism campaigns against Boko Haram and ISWAP. The findings reveal that while
CSOs play a critical role in addressing the needs of conflict-affected populations, their operations
are hindered by punitive state actions, leading to weakened counterterrorism outcomes. The
study concludes that fostering cooperative state-CSO relations is imperative to enhancing
counterterrorism effectiveness. It recommends the establishment of state-CSO liaison forums,
improved transparency protocols within CSOs, and initiatives to bridge communication gaps.
These measures are essential for aligning state and civil society efforts, thereby enhancing
Nigeria’s counterterrorism response.