New book explores Nigeria’s geopolitical role in the rise of ISIS, available free to researchers

A new research book titled “From Geography to Ideology: Nigeria’s Role in the Rise of ISIS and the Reshaping of Political Equations” has been published by authors Hadi Hassanzadeh Iraqi and Akram Amirizadeh, and is now available free of charge to researchers and policy analysts.

Published in 129 pages by Ganjour Publishing House in 2025 (1404 in the Iranian calendar), the book examines the geopolitical factors that have enabled the expansion of terrorist groups, particularly ISIS and Boko Haram, in Nigeria, drawing on geopolitical theory and security studies to analyze the multi-layered dimensions of the phenomenon.

The authors argue that Nigeria’s specific geopolitical conditions — including porous borders, ethnic and religious diversity, widespread poverty, administrative corruption, and a weak central state — have created fertile ground for ISIS to expand its influence. The book highlights how ISIS has exploited these fault lines, working with Boko Haram (which pledged allegiance to ISIS in 2015) to strengthen its presence in West Africa.

Structured in five chapters, the book offers a multidimensional analysis of the political, security, and humanitarian consequences of ISIS’s presence in Nigeria, and serves as a valuable resource for researchers in political science, international relations, political geography, and security studies.

Researchers and the general public can access the full text of the book for free on the website of Radio-ye Cheshm Andaz-e Farda.