National Security and National Development: A Critique

Abstract

This paper examined the prominent role played by security of life and properties in the development of the society. Its primary focus is that security is the major determinant of development of any society. It also critically examined the role of security in the development of the Nigerian nation. It ramified the concepts of national security and national development, how they are intertwined and linked them to the Nigerian society. The paper examined the causes of national security challenges in Nigeria such as corruption, injustice, poverty, poor health care delivery services, decayed and collapsed infrastructure, environmental degradation and socio-religious crises. The paper examined the correlations between all these causes of insecurity and the crises of underdevelopment in Nigeria particularly in the area of abject poverty, unemployment, lack of functional industries, low foreign investment, diversion of public funds, youth restiveness, religious and social violence, poor tourist attraction, and negative effect on the psychological wellbeing of the citizenry. It evaluates the issues raised and concluded that the issues are meant for pro-active reaction of the generality of the Nigerians and not the government alone.