OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGES OF INSECURITY IN NIGERIA

Insecurity constitutes an existential challenge and remains a scourge that undermines Nigeria's march to progress. Various dimensions of insecurity have plagued Nigeria since independence in 1960. It is notable that in the Fourth Republic (1999-2023), insecurity has reached unprecedented heights, with gross implications for national development. It is more disturbing that it has become more widespread and regionalised with Nigeria rated by Global Terrorism Index (GTI, 2022) as the third most insecure country in the world, after Afghanistan and Iraq. Although the Federal Government has embarked upon various measures to curb insecurity in the country, they have proved largely unworkable due to poor conceptualisation and ineffective implementation, among other factors. Thus, this chapter investigates the root causes of insecurity and provides strategic policy options towards overcoming its challenge in Nigeria