Civilian Control, Military Reforms and Internal Security in Nigeria

This Chapter examines theNigeria significant security challengessecurity being faced by Nigeria, the performance of its military, and the nature of civilian control which has severally constrained the effectiveness of military reform programmes. Defining security challengesrelevant concepts killedand tracing the postcolonial provenance of the Nigerian military, the chapter highlightskidnapped the nature of civil-military relations, particularly civilian control of the military in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. The author argues that until the quality of civilian control improves, efforts to reform the Nigerian military may not succeed and it may continue to struggle to meet its constitutional mandate of securing the country. The paper proffers recommendations that could help improve civilian control of the military towards addressing the numerous security challenges. These include a holistic overhaul of the security architecture, restructuring of the Defence Ministry, with the collaboration of all relevant stakeholders, the military and political class, as well as the epistemic community, civil society and friendly foreign partners.