Impact of Political Marginalization and Historical Conflicts on the Sustainability of SMEs in Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

The untamed rise in Nigeria’s insecurity is of great concern to residents and observers. Aside from heightened unemployment, Nigeria is a troubled nation in need of international interventions to prevent the growth and spread of terror to various parts of the world. This study assessed the impact of perceived political marginalization and historical conflict on the sustainability of SMEs in Anambra State, Nigeria. To achieve the study intent, the design followed a qualitative pattern. Participants were in two groups: owners of SMEs on one side and Herders and farmers on the other. An in-depth interview was paramount to obtaining needed information. Thematic and Content analysis were adopted. Findings revealed that the willingness to ignore governmental directives increases as perceived marginalization increases. Also, a negative relationship between herders-farmers conflict and the business climate in Anambra state was discovered. The governor of Anambra state needs to consciously set up or empower if any, an internal mechanism under the Ministry of Agriculture to devise workable plans and strategies on how to resolve the existing conflict in order to boost investors’ confidence in the state.