The Meaning of Boko Haram and the Contradiction of Babangida’s Book Launch and Library
By Prof. Olufunmilayo Adesanya-Davies
On February, 20th 2025, General Ibrahim Babangida, Nigeria’s former Head of State, launched his memoir, A Journey In Service. The book launch was accompanied by the inauguration of a multi-million naira library in Minna, Niger State. However, the juxtaposition of Babangida’s book launch and library with the activities of Boko Haram, a terrorist organization that has ravaged Nigeria’s north-east, raises important questions about the contradictions of Nigeria’s elite
The name “Boko Haram” is often translated as “Western education is forbidden” (Walker, 2012). However, this translation oversimplifies the complexities of the group’s ideology. According to Mohammed (2014), the name “Boko Haram” is a Hausa phrase that means “books are sinful” or “books are forbidden”. This name reflects the group’s rejection of Western-style education and its emphasis on Islamic scholarship.
Boko Haram’s ideology is rooted in a radical interpretation of Islam, which emphasizes the need for a strict adherence to Sharia law (Comolli, 2015). The group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, has stated that Boko Haram’s goal is to establish an Islamic state in Nigeria, based on Sharia law (AFP, 2012).
In contrast to Boko Haram’s rejection of Western-style education, Babangida’s book launch and library represent a celebration of Western-style education and literary culture. The library, which is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, is intended to promote literacy and education among Nigerians (The Guardian, 2016).
However, the juxtaposition of Babangida’s book launch and library with the activities of Boko Haram raises important questions about the contradictions of Nigeria’s elite. While Babangida and other members of Nigeria’s elite celebrate Western-style education and literary culture, Boko Haram and other extremist groups reject these values and seek to establish an Islamic state based on Sharia law.
This contradiction reflects a deeper crisis of values and identity in Nigeria. While Nigeria’s elite celebrate Western-style education and literary culture, many ordinary Nigerians are increasingly disillusioned with the failures of the country’s education system and the corruption of its elite (Ogbu, 2015).
In conclusion, the meaning of Boko Haram and the contradiction of Babangida’s book launch and library reflect a deeper crisis of values and identity in Nigeria. While Nigeria’s elite celebrate Western-style education, literary culture, they are also the sponsors of the Boko Haram sect, granting them amnesty and celebrating it as islamic religion; while many ordinary Nigerians are increasingly disillusioned with the failures of the country’s education system, insecurity and the corruption of its elite.
Read More:
AFP (2012). Boko Haram leader vows to fight on. Agence France-Presse.
Comolli, V. (2015). Boko Haram: Nigeria’s Islamist Insurgency. Hurst Publishers.
Mohammed, K. (2014). The Paradox of Boko Haram’s Ideology. Al Jazeera.
Ogbu, K. (2015). Nigeria’s Education System: A Crisis of Values. The Guardian.
The Guardian (2016). Babangida inaugurates library in Minna. The Guardian.
Walker, A. (2012). What is Boko Haram? United States Institute of Peace.
Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, a Nigerian former female Presidential Candidate is a Professor of Applied Linguistics, a Political Analyst and a Public Commentator.
