This study provides a comparative analysis of the security policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration with those of previous administrations in Nigeria. The study examines the successes and failures of each administration’s security policies, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for improvement. The analysis reveals that while each administration has faced significant security challenges, the effectiveness of their policies has varied. The study recommends a comprehensive approach to addressing security challenges, including addressing root causes, improving intelligence gathering, and enhancing accountability.
Introduction
Nigeria has faced numerous security challenges, including terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping. Successive administrations have implemented various security policies to address these challenges, with varying degrees of success. This study compares the security policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration with those of previous administrations, examining their successes and failures.
Security Challenges in Nigeria
Nigeria faces numerous security challenges, including :
Terrorism: Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) have been major security threats in Nigeria.
- Insurgency: Various insurgent groups have been active in Nigeria, including bandits and separatist groups.
*Kidnapping: Kidnapping has become a significant security challenge in Nigeria, with various groups targeting civilians for ransom.
Comparative Analysis of Security Policies
Goodluck Jonathan Administration (2010-2015)
The Goodluck Jonathan administration faced significant security challenges, including the Boko Haram insurgency. The administration’s security policies were criticized for being ineffective, and the insurgency worsened during this period .
Muhammadu Buhari Administration (2015-2023)
The Muhammadu Buhari administration implemented various security policies, including military operations against Boko Haram and other insurgent groups. While the administration recorded some successes, including the liberation of some territories, security challenges persisted .
Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration (2023-present)
The Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has continued to face significant security challenges, including terrorism, insurgency, and kidnapping. The administration’s security policies have been focused on improving intelligence gathering, enhancing military operations, and addressing root causes of insecurity .
Successes and Failures
Successes:
The Buhari administration’s military operations against Boko Haram led to the liberation of some territories.
The Tinubu administration’s focus on intelligence gathering and addressing root causes of insecurity is a step in the right direction.
Failures:
The Jonathan administration’s security policies were ineffective in addressing the Boko Haram insurgency.
The Buhari administration’s security policies were criticized for human rights abuses and lack of accountability.
Recommendations
- Address Root Causes: The government should address the root causes of insecurity, including poverty, unemployment, and social inequality.
- Improve Intelligence Gathering: The government should improve intelligence gathering and sharing among security agencies to enhance security operations.
- Enhance Accountability: The government should enhance accountability within security agencies to prevent human rights abuses and ensure effective security operations.
- Community Engagement: The government should engage with local communities to build trust and gather intelligence on security threats.
- Fighting corruption: which is crucial for addressing security challenges in Nigeria. Corruption has exacerbated security challenges in several ways:
A. Undermining security institutions: Corruption have weaken security institutions, such as the police and military, by compromising their effectiveness and integrity.
B. Enabling criminal activity: Corruption have enable criminal activity, such as arms trafficking and human trafficking, by allowing criminals to bribe their way out of prosecution.
C. Fueling insecurity: Corruption have been fueling insecurity by creating an environment of mistrust and discontent among citizens, which can lead to social unrest and violence.
To fight corruption and address security challenges, the following strategies can be employed:
- Strengthening institutions: Strengthening institutions, such as the judiciary and anti-corruption agencies, can help to ensure accountability and transparency.
- Improving transparency and accountability: Improving transparency and accountability in government and security institutions can help to prevent corruption and ensure that resources are used effectively.
- Enhancing whistleblower protection: Enhancing whistleblower protection can help to encourage citizens to report corruption without fear of reprisal.
- Implementing effective anti-corruption measures: Implementing effective anti-corruption measures, such as asset declaration and lifestyle checks, can help to prevent corruption and ensure accountability.
By fighting corruption, Nigeria can create a more secure environment, reduce the risk of insecurity, and promote economic development and stability.
Some potential anti-corruption measures that can be implemented include:
- Asset declaration: Requiring public officials to declare their assets and liabilities can help to prevent corruption and ensure accountability.
- Lifestyle checks: Conducting lifestyle checks on public officials can help to identify and prevent corruption.
- Whistleblower protection: Providing protection for whistleblowers can help to encourage citizens to report corruption without fear of reprisal.
- Transparency in government contracting: Ensuring transparency in government contracting can help to prevent corruption and ensure that resources are used effectively.
Overall, fighting corruption is essential for addressing security challenges in Nigeria and promoting economic development and stability.
Conclusion
This study highlights the importance of effective security policies in addressing security challenges in Nigeria.
While each administration has faced significant security challenges, the effectiveness of their policies has varied.
A comprehensive approach to addressing security challenges, including addressing root causes, improving intelligence gathering, and enhancing accountability, is essential for ensuring security and stability in Nigeria.
References
- Ezeala, G. C. O., & Ijeoma, C. (2024). Security Challenges and National Development: Empirical Evidence from Nigeria.
- Efanga, U. O., Agbaeze, C. C., & Chukwu, P. E. (2023). Security Challenges and Their Implications on Business Activities in Nigeria.
Okereka, P. O., Efebeh, V. E., & Oluka, N. (2020). Security Imperatives and Societal Implications for Government: Perspectives in Nigeria.
Ashibi, J. E., Ugwukwu, V. O., & Adeyinka, T. (2023). The Phenomenon of Insecurity and its Implications for Socio-economic Wellbeing in Nigeria.
Dr Yahuza Getso
yahuzagetso72@gmail.com
08036002411,09166444447
Security, Intelligence and Investigation Expert, Community Driven Development Professional, Forest criminality , crime management research, hard to reach, difficult terrain gorilla war therapist/Consultant
