Governance and the Challenges of Human Security in Nigeria: An Assessment

Abstract

This paper examines governance and the challenges of human security in Nigeria. Governance
issues are closely linked to the empowerment of people and communities which is the core of
human security. Presently, most Nigerian families are living below poverty level. Graduate
unemployment is increasing at a geometrical progression. People are losing their jobs, poverty
rate is on the increase, and hunger is multiplying. Infrastructures are decaying. Simply put,
human security is under severe threat in Nigeria. It is against this background that this paper xrays governance and the challenges of human security in Nigeria. Nigeria returned to democratic
rule in 1999 after many years of military dictatorship. There was high expectation that the return
to democracy will lead to improved condition of the ordinary citizens but the reverse is the case.
The paper therefore examines how the twin problems of inadequate infrastructure and corruption
hinder governance and human security in the country. Documentary method was used to gather
data for the work. We adopted the theory of constructivism as a framework of analysis. The
findings of the paper show that human security has been endangered by the nature and character
of governance in the country, and that the inadequacy of infrastructures and corruption has
negatively affected the security of the human being in the country. The paper therefore
concluded that government has greater responsibility of ridding itself of corruption, and
recommends that government should focus greater efforts on infrastructures, the fight against
corruption and ensuring peace between farmers and herders in the country.