Governance Failure and the Rising Spate of Insecurity in Nigeria, 2015-2023

This paper explores the connection between governance failure and insecurity in Nigeria from 2015 to 2023. A fundamental duty of any government is to ensure the security and welfare of its citizens and territory against both internal insurrections and external threats. However, since gaining independence from Britain on October 1st, 1960, Nigeria has faced numerous political and socio-economic challenges, along with violent conflicts that have jeopardized the nation's development, peace, and security. This situation is primarily a result of the significant impact of governance failure on the country and its defense sector, as well as the dynamics of interactions among various ethno-religious and regional groups, which often pursue their goals through diverse means, including armed conflict. At present, Nigeria is plagued by a rising tide of security issues. From religious conflicts to post-election violence, armed banditry, and kidnappings for ransom; coupled with the influx of illegal weapons across Nigeria's borders and the establishment of bandit camps in the Northwestern regions, the narrative is one of a sorrowful surge in insecurity. Additionally, the more advanced and organized Boko Haram insurgency and terrorism, along with the escalation of farmer-herder conflicts into the Southern regions, and the rise of the Eastern Nigeria Network (ESN) in the Southeast, highlight the complex nature of insecurity in Nigeria, making it difficult to precisely categorize the various patterns. The main objective of this paper is to critically examine the impact of governance failure on the escalating insecurity in Nigeria. Theoretically, the study adopted the Frustration Aggression theory. Also, the study endorsed the qualitative method of data collection and utilizes secondary sources; and relies on content analysis as its method of data analysis. To achieve this, the researcher sourced information from published textbooks, magazines, journal articles, official documents. The paper argues that governance failures in Nigeria have significantly contributed to the rising insecurity across the nation. Weak institutions, corruption, and a lack of accountability have created an environment where various forms of insecurity, such as terrorism, banditry, and ethnic clashes, have thrived. It also revealed that the rising insecurity has led to loss of lives and properties, displacement and humanitarian crisis, disruption of economic activities, erosion of public trust, human rights abuses, reduced domestic and foreign investment, increased hunger and shortage of food in Nigeria. Despite the vast budget allocated for security, the government’s response remains inadequate. This paper therefore, recommends addressing these issues requires strengthening governance structures, promoting social and economic development, and ensuring justice and accountability.