Psychological Strategies for Addressing Youth Restiveness, National Insecurity, and Promoting Sustainable Youth Development in North-West Nigeria

Abstract

This study evaluated psychological strategies for addressing youth restiveness and national insecurity while promoting sustainable youth development in North-West Nigeria. The primary objectives were to examine the impact of psychological interventions on national security, identify effective strategies for mitigating youth restiveness, and evaluate approaches for fostering youth involvement in national development. Utilizing an ex-post facto research design, the study targeted a population of 25,139,426 youths residing in North-West Nigeria. Data were collected from a representative sample of 384 respondents through structured questionnaires, utilizing a simple random sampling procedure, and subsequently analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings indicate that psychological interventions are critical in addressing national insecurity, as failing to implement them can perpetuate socio-economic instability and undermine national defense. Regarding youth restiveness, the results highlight the efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and the implementation of mindfulness practices. Furthermore, the study identifies sound education and the promotion of good governance as pivotal psychological strategies for encouraging meaningful youth participation in national security and sustainable development. The study recommends that youth leaders, community stakeholders, and government bodies collaborate to cultivate a culture of patriotism and national security. It further suggests that educationists and community development practitioners work in synergy with policymakers to ensure the effective adoption and integration of these psychological strategies within the North-West geopolitical zone.