INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY Nigeria in recent times has witnessed an unprecedented level of insecurity. This has made national security menace to be a major issue for government and has prompted huge allocation of the national budget to security. In order to ameliorate the incidence of crime, the federal government has decided to take some security majors such as the passage of Anti-Terrorism Act in 2011, installation of Computer-based Closed Circuit Television cameras (CCTV) in some parts of the country, enhancement of surveillance as well as investigation of criminal related offences as well as strengthening of security agencies through the provision of security facilities and the development and broadcast of security tips in mass media (Azazi, 2011). Despite these efforts, the level of insecurity in the country is still high. In addition, Nigeria has consistently ranked low in the Global Peace Index (GPI, 2012), signifying a worsened state of insecurity in the country. Hence, Adagba, et al (2012), Uhunmwuangho and Aluforo (2011) are of the view that the efforts of government have not yielded enough positive result. With the lingering security challenges and the inability of the security apparatus of the government to guarantee safety and security in the country, the question that borders everyone in Nigeria today is that “can there be security?” Is security of lives and properties achievable? Apparently, the security situations in Nigeria appear or at least have remained insurmountable and many people have argued that governments at all levels have not done enough by not confronting the situation head on and dealing with it decisively. Others have argued that the situation has a political undertone or inclination calculated to serve the interest of politicians, who have been dissatisfied and disgruntled about the entire political process. However, Nigerian economic system like most African countries is in an immeasurable state. The worsening economic conditions have been generating a mix of domestic social and political tension. Normally, citizens expect their governments to provide them with political stability and socio economic security, including employment, healthcare and shelter, the non-fulfillment of which breeds discontent and social unrest or even serious political challenge. Unfortunately, Nigeria today is plagued with social disorder, insecurity, poverty, illiteracy, balance of payment deficit, poor health statistics, ethnic and religious conflicts, corruption, criminality and political crisis. All these means that we are very insecure in terms of human well-being. In this situation, development is elusive like a mirage! In this connection, it is easy to establish a nexus between security challenge and sustainable development. Accordingly, it is meaningless to talk of development in the absence of security challenge. This is followed by an exploration of the connection between security environment and business activities and an evaluation of the Nigerian security situation and its implications for sustainable development. Finally, in consonance with the call on everyone by government, to contribute to the war against insecurity, the paper proposes a security management model that could assist in managing security challenges in the country. (In light of the above, this paper examined the implications of national security challenges on sustainable development in Nigeria).

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Several Nigerian governments in the past had spent billions of dollars to ensure peace and security in the country, thereby making the defense budgets of the country bigger than other vital sectors. While some of these monies ended in private pockets, the present government in Nigeria currently combating corruption, crime and economic despondency has shown improvement in addressing insecurity issues. However, their best efforts are grossly inadequate. Also, the civil societies, aided by indigenous philanthropists in the country are doing everything they can to ensure peace and stability of the country. However, in terms of peace, Nigeria was scored very low in the 2016 Global Peace Index and rated same with other countries such as Libya, Sudan, Iraq, Yemen, and other war torn countries.

The question here is how can The Nigerian Government show more bravery and increase its capacity to engage in lasting peace building in the age of violent extremism and guerilla warfare? How can they address the challenges incapacitating their activities? How best can they contribute to peace building in Nigeria? How can government use the instrument of good governance to achieve peace and security in the country?

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1) To examine the role of the government in the management of the challenge of security in Nigeria

2) To examine the implication of security challenges to sustainable development

3) To examine factors that is influencing insecurities in Nigeria

4) To recommend solutions to insecurity in Nigeria

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION

1) what are the role of the government in the management of the challenge of security in Nigeria?

2) what is the implication of security challenges to sustainable development?

3) what are the factors that is influencing insecurities in Nigeria?

4) what are the solutions to insecurity in Nigeria ?

1.5 HYPOTHESIS OF THE STUDY

HO: The Nigerian government does not have a significant role to play in the management of security challenges towards sustainable development in Nigeria

H1: The Nigerian government has a significant role to play in the management of security challenges in towards sustainable development in Nigeria

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

This study would enable the researcher to pass their experience on the subject matter to:

Security agencies: This study will benefit security agencies in the sense of bringing out the challenges faced by security agencies and trying to provide answers to the challenges

Government agencies: government agencies and ministries will benefit from this research because it critical examines the roles of the government in ensuring peace and stability through security management in the south-south region

1.7   SCOPE OF THE STUDY   

The study would cover evaluation of  security challenges  and it implications on sustainable development in nigeria

1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The researcher was faced with the following constraints in carrying out this study:

Time: The time within the researcher is too short to carry on the detail study on this topic.

Resources: Another constraint of the researcher is financial resources to carry on the detail study of this topic. Data: Another limitation to this study will be lack of data to make valid study on the research problem.

1.9 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS

SECURITY: Security is freedom from, or resilience against, potential harm caused by others. Beneficiaries of security may be of persons and social groups, objects and institutions, ecosystems or any other entity or phenomenon vulnerable to unwanted change.

MANAGEMENT: Management is the administration of an organization, whether it is a business, a non-profit organization, or government body

GOVERNMENT: A government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a state. In the case of its broad associative definition, government normally consists of legislature, executive, and judiciary