Governance Deficit, National Security and the Development of Nigeria: ENDSARS Protest Perspective

Benson E. Udoms & Ofonmbuk E. Atakpa

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Abstract

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa with financial fortunes bolstered by enormous natural endowments and human resources. Yet Nigeria is faced with myriads of economic and socio-political woes and has earned the infamous sobriquet of the world’s poverty capital. Scholars and other stakeholders have not only wondered why Nigeria, the supposed giant of Africa is trailing behind in anything positive, but also have consistently observed that Nigeria’s endemic problems are anchored on ill- governance. The paper interrogated Nigeria’s national security which has been compromised through incessant and runaway corruption, the activities of boko haram terrorists, the daily killings by the Fulani herdsmen and other criminal gangs in Nigeria, menacing poverty, dearth of infrastructure, institutions with weak performance capacities, a governance elite that is far away from the aspirations of the governed and too removed that it has become irresponsible and insensitive to the plight of its subjects, which was adequately exposed through the ENDSARS protests in the country in early October 2020. A qualitative research, the paper is anchored on Social Contract as its analytical theory. The paper’s findings, amongst others, include a governance deficit foisted by self-styled leadership of a schizophrenic nature that has caused a reversing development, unemployment, human and income poverty, a recourse to inflaming ethnic, tribal and religious sentiments to cover up their primordial interests as well as maladministration and several other challenges arising from their prebendal nature. The recommendations include, among others: elimination of machine politics which is a progenitor of bad leadership and a culture of impunity with negative effects on human development and national security; a resort to entrenching human security if Nigeria intends to achieve national security which will usher in national integration and national development, as well as attract foreign investment and international goodwill.

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