Stemming the Surge of Security Challenges in Nigeria: The Need for Collective Effort

Abstract

In our world of pluralism, diversity, and interdependence, matters of national security has become a ubiquitous discourse. Its importance to any nation cannot be over-emphasized as they are of utmost importance to the progress and development of the polity. In the absence of security, a country remains exposed to threat and is vulnerable. In this predicament, the attainment of such a country’s objectives and projects becomes a herculean task. This is the case of Nigeria. Hence, this paper notes that the present state of security in Nigeria gives cause for concern, as it tends towards the direction of instability. While the issue of security has been on course in Nigeria, the preponderance of an individualism ideology and approach that the burden of tackling security is solely the responsibility of government has put the country in a state of flux. Thus, the paper recommends that there is an urgent need for a reversal of the trend, if security must be tackled and its menace effaced in Nigeria. The paper concludes that addressing the problem of insecurity must call for the collective efforts of the government, the social actors and the hoi polloi (masses) as these three strata depict an embodiment of the entirety of the society. This is a major step towards stemming the surge of security challenges in Nigeria.