Economic Reforms and National Security in the Nigerian Fourth Republic

Abstract

Nigeria's internal security landscape has deteriorated in fundamental rule. Old security threats have remained or assumed a worrisome dimension while new threats have emerged. Some of the old threats that assumed new dimension include small arm and light weapons proliferation, assassination, human trafficking, kidnapping and ethno-religious conflicts. The paper examine the nature of economic reforms in Nigeria, the persistent causes of hindrances to economic reforms in Nigeria, effects of economic reforms on national security and recommendations on how best the government can incorporate social security component in the practice of democracy. The study adopted the documentary approach using textbooks, journals, internet materials. The study reveals that various economic reforms presented, severe economic setbacks, grinding poverty and heightened of inequality which is poison to democracy, political development and national security and country’s protracted inability to develop along democratic walls for years is in part related to factors that are themselves related to poverty directly or indirectly. In the meantime, the graving pauperization of the citizen has been impounded by the apparent retreat of the Nigerian state under the pressure. The study recommends that; there should be the adoption of a more pro-active and realistic measures in the might of the Nigerian economy and its prevalent crisis, and such measures should include budget discipline, and the pursuit of policies and programmes that have positive effect on the health of the occurrence and the people general. This will involve the revival of agriculture and rural development resuscitating the collapsed industries and re-focusing on the issue of equity and justice on the distribution of resources from the oil producing state of Nigeria. The economic conduction which is crucial in the determination of the existence of democracy and liberty should be met. Extreme differences in the distribution of wealth may impede the sustainability of democracy. Unless democracy is used as a means of responding to the acute needs of the people such as food, security, shelter, and clothing, the people will not be strong enough to appreciate and sustain it.