National Security In Nigeria Research Articles

State Policing and National Security in Nigeria

Nigeria is battling its worst level of insecurity since the civil war which ended in 1970. The need to reform and reposition the Nigeria Police Force has been topical in debates to improve security in the country. In fact, several high-powered committees have been set up and dozens of reports churned out on this subject. These efforts have been geared towards developing a formidable police force that will perform its constitutional duties of maintaining law and order and securing the lives and properties of all Nigerians. However, results have shown that the efforts of government have not delivered the desired results. The objective of this study therefore was to highlight the urgency in the need to establish a state police that will be capable of tackling the current challenge of gross insecurity in Nigeria. The study relied on secondary data in evaluating the feasibility of state policing in Nigeria. The analysis centred on variables like the reorientation of the force, insufficient budgetary allocation and judicious use of security vote, the practice of true federalism, the creation of employment opportunities and so on, in drawing its conclusions. Findings revealed that the current centralised system of administering the police force may not be tenable in adequately curbing the menace of insecurity in Nigeria. Recommendations proffered include the need to decentralize the police force forthwith. It is expected that the adoption and implementation of this among other suggested strategies will boost the operative capacity of the Nigerian Police Force to effectively carry out its designated roles and bring the mounting insecurity in the country under control. It is hoped that the results from this study will encourage Nigerian policy makers in formulating the right policies for national security. Besides, the results from this study will be useful to other researchers and students of public policy. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n1s1p412

Emergency Rule : A Panacea for Peace and Conflict Resolution in Nigeria

A state of emergency is traditionally invoked in order to justify a departure from or stretching of the rule of law, here the existence of an emergency is a prerequisite to invoking the rule of law at all. This paper examines the potency of a ‘state of emergency’ in peace and conflict resolution in Nigeria. Thus, the main concern of the paper was to interrogate how far a state of exception can be explored in times of emergency situations to engender peace in the polity. From a theoretical viewpoint, the paper argues that a state of emergency is located within the fiduciary function of a state. Fundamentally, the nature and the function of the state of emergency or ‘state of exception’ is to guarantee peace, security and equal freedom for everybody. The paper concludes by stating clearly that the conflict scenario portends negatively for the sustenance of national security in Nigeria. The paper recommends that emergency rule should be managed by the authorities in manners that will facilitate the realization of the goals of peace building and conflict resolution. Also, it suggests a strategic paradigm shift from anti-terrorism to counter-terrorism as a strategy for containing the crisis.

English

Fifty years after independence, the discourse and practice of security/national security in Nigeria needs re-examination. Security is a contested terrain amongst nation at different stages of development. At the moment, the contest is over the referent-state or people. Have Nigerians ever face national security threat of the scale in countries of the North that threatened the existence of the state in the last fifty years? Have not we faced national security threats of the scale not peculiar with countries of the North that has continuously threatened the existence of the state in the last fifty years? More Nigerians are threatened by government policies than by neighbouring armies. What were the objectives, priorities and methods of national security in discourse and practice? Have we not been discussing and practicing security and national security wrongly thus endangering the very basis of security-the people? What do we mean when we talk about security and national security? Or when we make policies to protect and advance national security? This paper surveys the discourse and practice of national security in Nigeria using papers presented at the Historical Society of Nigeria congress on “Historicizing National Security, Order and Rule of Law”.It examined the understanding of national security arguing that the ambiguity evident in the term sanctioned and legitimised similar disposition in its use by policy makers. It called for the people of Nigeria to be the referent object of security rather than the interest of the elite subsumed for the state.   Key words: Security, national security, state, human beings, scholars.

Democracy and National Security in Nigeria: A Discursive Exploration

This paper explores the nexus between democracy and national security in Nigeria. This is against the backdrop of the growing globally tenable optimism that holds that democracy is a desideratum for national progress and sustainability. By way of descriptive analysis of secondary sources, the paper posits that there is an integral and indispensable relationship between democracy and national security. Comprehending national security in terms of sustainable development, the paper argues that democracy in Nigeria should aspire towards leveraging potentials for sustainable national development in such a manner that guarantees enduring national sustainability. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n4p495

The Arab Spring and Its Implications for Nigerian National Security

Demographic changes, growing unemployment, social media penetration, an interplay of religion and politics provided the combustible mix for the Arab Spring. The Arab Spring has helped generate awareness about quality of governance, legitimacy and relationship between state and society but is muted as it relates to its effects on national security in Nigeria. Indeed, from a historical perspective, a direct effect of the Arab Spring on Nigerian National Security is not obvious. The paper argues that the challenges facing national security in Nigeria is independent of the Arab Spring but identifies some ripples from the Arab Spring that could create anxious moments for national security planners in Nigeria.

Exploring the Synergy of Democracy and National Security for Good Governance in Nigeria

This paper is an explorative discourse on the state of democracy, national security and good governance in Nigeria. The paper through the use of system theory unfolds the hyphen and buckle between good governance and national security. It argues that poor political governance as manifested in lack of people centered leadership, corruption, poor institutionalization of democratic principles and ideals, widespread unemployment, poverty, wide spread illiteracy among others have led to crude contestation of political power which continues to threaten the survival of the Nigerian state. It will not be false to say that Nigeria once again became democratic in 1999 but has not taken advantage of this form of government to put in place measures that will ensure good governance and national security. The lack of good governance in the country is traceable to the absence of true democracy which has brought with it increased insecurity. Today, new security challenges like suicide bombings, terrorist attacks, kidnapping, armed robbery and banditry are on the increase in Nigeria. There is also increased poverty and hunger, decayed infrastructure and particularly, corrupt leadership etc. This situation is wreaking efforts at deepening democratic practices, which in turn portends serious danger to national security and integration. This paper therefore aims at examining how the combine efforts of entrenched democracy and good governance can enhance national security in Nigeria.

The Cashless Payment System as a Panacea to the National Security Challenges in Nigeria

The aim of this paper was to ascertain the extent to which electronic payment in all its ramifications and intensities could impact on the systemic cashless economy in Nigeria, on the one hand, and the great potential of recovery of National Security from its current state of implicit and reckless collapse, on the other hand. Before the advent of modern banking system, banking operation was manually done which led to a slowdown in settlement of transactions. This manual system involves posting transactions from one ledger to another with human hands into designated folio in appropriate accounting record book. This study examines electronic management of funds movement in both local and international payments; transfers for both legal and illegal purposes. All sorts of illegality in financial and economic activities are carried out by the use of physical cash. Terrorists, money launderers, Fraudsters, Armed robbers, Drug peddlers Revenue generation fraudsters, corrupt politicians and civil servants, cyber criminals,and Bank thieves are all economic saboteurs and constituents of the dynamics of national insecurity. All these are pilferers of government resources and prefer executing their dastardly acts using cash transactions.The new policy by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) of cashless system of payment has raised a lot of concern on the growth of the Nigerian economy, with the objective of reducing high cost of cash processing and improving financial intermediation, facilitating an efficient payment system, while at the same time solving the critical challenges of National Security enabled by the use cash by economic saboteurs.Both descriptive and quantitative research techniques was employed to carry out this study. The study indicates that the electronic system of payment has a great implication for the success of the cashless economy and a facilitation of the recovery of the fragile dimensions of National Security in Nigeria. The successes so imagined from the impact of electronic modes of payment of the systemic cashless policy and the recovery of National Security from its current state of decadence will only be realizable if the implementation of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Cashless Policy can also recover from its present state of failure and lack of focus.Consequently, the authors concluded that the cashless system of payment will enhance the development of the e-payment system and therefore recommend amongst other things the need for proper implementation of a risked based information security strategy for both financial and non-financial institutions in the Nigerian economy.

The Role of the Library and Librarians in Promoting National Security in Nigeria

This paper examined the role of the library and librarians in promoting national security in Nigeria. The objective of the paper was to show that the library and librarians can contribute effectively in the fight against terrorism through effective propaganda; collection and dissemination of information; mobilizing the citizens through civic education and bridging of ideological and religious divides. The paper however stressed that national security is an all embracing term that deals with the protection of the interest of a nation. It is in this regard that the library has a social responsibility in national security. It recommended more government funding to achieve this task and re-organization of training curriculum of future librarians to include national security. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2013.v2n2p99

The Role of the Media in National Security in Nigeria 1960 - 1999

This study focuses on the role of the media in national security in Nigeria in the period 1960 and 1999.The Nigerian mass media since independence has faced the greatest challenge of how to make itself relevant to the Nigerian society. First, the political class in its greed has employed the mass media as instrument for selfish and sectional loyalties. Consequently, media reports have greatly heightened tension and created suspicion among the citizens. Second, the mass media are increasingly internationalized in content and resulting to culture imperialism. Nigerian's thirst for foreign consumables threatens the nation's culture integrity. Third, Nigerian Journalist suffered insecurity of arbitrary arrest and detention in the days of military rule. Several decrees promulgated ousted press freedom. Journalist fought tenaciously against such constitutional edicts by its publications. Fourth, The proliferation of media organizations has brought about change in media ownership structure and tended towards the dangerous trend of promoting threat to national security. These issues would be discussed in this study. The study appraises and assesses the media since independence, through the 'dark days' of military rule to the new democracy in 1999.

Religious Fanaticism and National Security in Nigeria

Religion is a social diachronic of special interest that has orchestrated unbridled internecine conflicts and insecurity in Nigeria. The thrust of this paper is propelled by the ferocious and colossal eruptions of religious conflict occasioned by extreme display of religious fanaticism and intolerance. In addition to an unprecedented quantum of self-acclaimed “Men of God” who are catalysts of commercialization of religious institutions and fast eroding religious values, thereby engendering high propensity of insecurity in the society. This paper examines the various factors that have caused religious fanaticism and violent conflicts in Nigeria and their implications. Added to these are the implications of disenchanting religious values, desecrating religious institutions which undermine security in Nigeria. This research work argues that the most crucial factors that have occasioned religious fanaticism and insecurity in Nigeria include the nature of religion itself, diversely conflicting interpretations of doctrines within the same religion, aggressive evangelism, and high level of poverty ravaging the land, a surge in self – serving – “men of God” devouring their prey, among others. The consequences of not promoting positive religious values, retrogressing religious institutions is the wanton destruction of men and properties. To this end, the issue of secularity in a multi – ethnic Nigerian society is discussed. To effectively address religious values, fanaticism and insecurity in Nigeria, the paper advocates addressing and promoting poverty alleviation, engendering absolute secularism, provision of adequate security apparatus (both manpower and technological mechanism) and institutionalization of all functional needs of the society. Keywords: Religious values, Institutionalization, Fanaticism, Security, Functionaries.

Community Radio and Nigeria's National Security Exigencies: Fears and Promises

The community radio project is an emerging form of broadcasting that is gaining popularity and acceptability more than the other forms of broadcasting (state, public, commercial, private, and institutional). Its popularity is largely due to its potential to democratize and provide a horizontal form of communication, thus, contributing more meaningfully to development efforts than the other forms of broadcasting. Nigeria’s national security at the moment is facing serious challenges to the point that the country’s corporate existence as a united entity is threatened. This calls for serious measures to address the challenges. Community radio offers a veritable communication channel to facilitate peace building mechanisms and national integration. This paper argues that community radio project in Nigeria, when established, would have daunting challenges as well as promises in managing security issues. The daunting challenges centre on the activities of the ruling class and elites who would want to manipulate the project for their selfish motives. The promises are in the democratic, people-driven, and development-based features of community broadcasting. To ensure that community radio project facilitates national security, the paper recommends, among other things, political will, involvement of the people, media literacy education, and the involvement of civil societies to assist curtail cases of excesses in the operation of the community radio project Key words: Community radio, national security, fears, promises, Nigeria.

Optimization of Nigerian Satellites and Geo-Spatial Intelligence on National Security.

Nigeria as a nation is experiencing a tremor in its National security based on the indiscriminate bombings and killings in the country which is attributed to religious, political and/ or ethnic fight. The United States defense has used geospatial intelligence to manage its national security in the past years and it has yielded by the cracking down of the big terrorist and terrorist organization in the world. This was achieved by its massive investment and commitment in its space programs. In bid to emulate the US, this study aimed to promote geospatial intelligence amongst the Nigerian Security Agencies towards achieving a stable National Security. Also, the study identified the relevant agencies to collaborate with the security agencies to promote synergy towards a stable national security in Nigeria; and provides a framework for improving and managing National Security using geospatial intelligence approach. The approach employed was a combination of satellite imagery, imagery intelligence and geospatial information with the help of ICT to tackle the identified sectors that makes up national security (micro (internal), macro (regional) and strategic (world at large)). The incorporation of geospatial intelligence in the micro, macro and strategic security sectors will strengthen our National Security provided there is synergy, commitment and information sharing among relevant agencies.

The Enemy Within: Oil in the Niger Delta

The Enemy Within: Oil in the Niger Delta

Ethnic Militarism in the Niger Delta: Its Evolution and Impact on Nigeria's National Security

The paper examines the nature and character of ethnic militarism in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. It notes the evolutionary trends of the Niger Delta conflicts, the causes of conflicts and the several dimensions, which violence has taken in the Niger Delta zone of Nigeria. It further discusses the impact of ethnic militarism in the Niger Delta area on security as it affects the country. The paper concludes that efforts should be made to bring this major national problem to an end considering the fact that the lingering violence and insecurity in the Niger Delta have inhibited and might continue to inhibit the socio – economic and political stability of Nigeria.

Social Studies Education as a Panacea for National Security in Nigeria

Nigeria as a Nation is besieged with several national issues such asinsecurity of life and property, kidnapping, robbery assassination etc. Thisproblem has brought about retrogressiveness to sustainable nationaldevelopment. Based on this prevailing condition the paper try to examinehow the knowledge of social studies education be used as a vehicle in solvingproblem of national insecurity in Nigeria. The purpose of this papertherefore is to examine the role of social studies education in preparing theyoung people to be good citizen in a world that is becoming more and morecomplex. The subject matter of social studies relate directly to theorganization and development of human society. Several issues and theircorresponding recommendation were made.

Turbulent Oil: Conflict and Insecurity in the Niger Delta

ABSTRACT The Niger Delta region of Nigeria has been engulfed by oil-related conflict for over two decades now, and concerns pertaining to Nigeria's national security, economic stability, and global energy security have been brought to the fore of global discourse. This paper reflects on the character and dynamics of oil turbulence and in particular the transformation of the conflict from a community protest against oil industry operations to insurgency and the counterinsurgent responses by state security forces. The article indentifies the availability of arms, endemic corruption, state violence, patterns of corporate practice, and the politics of oil revenue distribution as central to the origins of the contemporary crisis. The paper interrogates the amnesty program and draws attention to incomplete disarmament, poor post amnesty rehabilitation, and political contradictions as possible threats to its success.

Implementation of Millennium Development Goals (MDGS) and National Security in Nigeria: A Strategic Thinking

In the year 2000, Nigeria joined the 189 member states at the United Nations Millennium Summit to set the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), which were related to various aspects of development targeted for realization in year 2015. This paper is a strategic thought on the implications the implementation of the goals holds out for national security in Nigeria. The paper, which is based on the study of literature, reveals that genuine commitment to the implementation of the goals is strategically related to effective national security. However, in Nigeria the progressthat thus far has been made in the implementation of the goals is yet inadequate to guarantee effective national security.

US Africa Command (AFRICOM) and Nigeria's National Security

The US decision to establish a unified combatant command (AFRICOM) in African has raised numerous questions, particularly in Africa, regarding its possible security implications for the continent. The article narrows itself to the concern for unraveling the national security implications of Nigeria's opposition to the location of AFRICOM. It also highlights the tripartite security concerns that informed US decision to establish a combatant command in Africa. The article argues that Nigeria's opposition to AFRICOM would likely lead to fracturing of US-Nigeria's relations as well as increased, though subtle, intervention of the US in Nigeria's internal affairs. For a win-win approach to the varying legitimate security concerns of Nigeria and the US visa- vis AFRICOM, the article advocates that Nigeria's approach should be underpinned by the philosophy of enlightened moderation and constructive engagement. Africa Insight Vol. 38 (1) 2008: pp. 173-184

Oil pipeline sabotage in Nigeria: Dimensions, actors and implications for national security

If situated within the Cold War era conceptualisation of national security, oil pipeline sabotage does not seem to fit in properly. However, when viewed from a new paradigm of national security, recent manifestations of oil pipeline sabotage and its implications hold out serous threats for national security in Nigeria. This paper examines the three main dimensions of oil pipeline sabotage in Nigeria, namely oil bunkering, pipeline vandalisation / fuel scooping, and oil terrorism, as well as the actors and objectives behind them. The author argues that if the federal government does not make concerted efforts to contain the rising incidence of oil pipeline sabotage in the country, the capacity of government to discharge its primary responsibility, that is to provide security and development, will be largely compromised. The paper therefore advocates the adoption of stringent measures aimed at enhancing surveillance of the pipelines, the tackling of corruption and the entrenchment of good governance in the country.