The Dynamics of Human and National Security in Nigeria: Lessons from the Boko Haram Insurgency

Abstract

Nigeria, since independence in 1960, has been contending with various forms of ethno-religious, political and communal crises and conflicts that have implications for human and national security. The case of the current Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east geo-political zone of the country has demonstrated definite fundamental flaws in the country’s national security architecture. Consequently, this study attempts to cross-examine the dynamic forces of the human security, and national security in Nigeria by drawing from the lessons of the Boko Haram insurgency. Generated data from secondary data were subjected to qualitative descriptive analysis within the purview of the Boko Haram insurgency as a product of protracted political exclusion; economic marginalization; lack of basic educational and health facilities and a high rate of unemployment (all of which threatens the national security). The study reveals among others, that the present national security strategy which emphasizes the use of military force is grossly inadequate for addressing the security challenge; that such extremists’ agitations and other violent threats to national security in developing countries are likely to emanate from policy discontentment of citizens within country, rather than from external threats. Therefore, the study suggests a national human security strategy anchored on the welfare needs of the citizens (as articulated in the seven key elements of human security) as the best way of guaranteeing national security. It concludes that, since the Boko Haram insurgency is caused by the abandonments of the key elements of human security (such as the socio-economic and political deprivations) as the current repressive military approach alone is not sufficient, or likely to overwhelm the insurgency in the north east.