Boko Haram: From Nigerian Preachers to the Islamic State’s West African Province

The militant Islamist group Boko Haram has terrorized Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, for almost two decades. The organization’s growth is a result of a number of political, social and economic factors, both in Nigeria and internationally. And while the group has proclaimed its allegiance to the Islamic State’s international terrorism network, understanding Boko Haram’s domestic drivers and roots in the Nigerian context is of critical importance for policymakers.

At this event, a panel of experts explored the drivers of Boko Haram and of growing of Salafi-jihadism in Nigeria and West Africa, as well as the social and policy issues involved. The forthcoming book, "From Nigerian Preachers to Islamic State’s West African Province,” served as the basis for the dialogue.

This event was co-sponsored by the Baker Institute Center for the Middle East and the Boniuk Institute for Religious Tolerance. Follow @BakerInstitute on Twitter and join the conversation online with #BakerBokoHaram.

Panelists

Abdulbasit Kassim
Author 

Michael Nwankpa, Ph.D.
Author 

Amidu Olalekan Sanni, Ph.D.
Professor of Arabic, African and Middle Eastern Studies, Lagos State University

Moderated by

David Cook, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Religion, Rice University, and Rice Faculty Scholar, Baker Institute