Security Challenges As Threat To Socio-Economic Development In Nigeria

Abstract

Overtime the security of lives and properties of citizens of Nigeria as well as other residents in the country have been seriously threatened due to the recurrent security challenges, which have collectively undermined socio-economic development in the country. This study is therefore a bold attempt to investigate the security challenges as a threat to socio-economic development of Nigeria. This study is anchored on the theory of Fragile State espoused by Sara (2008). Content analytical method was adopted due mainly to the nature of the problem under investigation. Data for the study were generated from secondary sources. After careful analysis of data relevant to the study, it was found out that Boko Haram terrorist acts have significant adverse effect on foreign direct investment; that there is a positive relationship between Niger Delta militancy and reduction in foreign exchange earnings to Nigeria and that effective mass participation in governance is central to achieving peaceful co-existence in Nigeria. On the basis of the foregoing, we make bold to recommend as follows – that government should address the root causes of insecurity such as poverty, unemployment, environmental degradation, uneven development etc through good governance; that government should evolve policies and programmes necessary to promote national loyalty and consciousness; that the security agencies should be overhauled to be proactive through intelligence gathering among others. These recommendations among others are central to enthroning socio-economic development in the country.