my concept on national security

My Concept on National Security’

By Eben Enasco Kingsley

Before we keep the trend on, let us know what the concept of national security is by its vast definitions.

Various attempts at defining national security have been made, although in certain views, there are no universal definitions, as it means different things to different countries.

 A distinction between definitions of national security, broadened definitions and definitions specifically applicable to Third World countries explained it to be ‘the protection of the state and its vital interests from attack by other states’.

Following the end of the Cold War, the understanding of national security shifted to ‘the threats to individual citizens and to our way of life, as well as to the integrity and interests of the state’.

This change in the concept of national security emphasizes the fact that following the end of the Cold War, the security environment has passed from a bipolar system to a complex one, while the threats are more and more complex.

The rise of transnational terrorism has also led to new understandings of security and the need for new approaches to growing transnational crime particularly on Boko Haram, isis and Niger Delta militancy.

The National Security and Contingent Factors

First, Nigeria national security must be examined within both national and international spheres. From a national perspective, security is contingents on political security, economic security, demographics, societal security, environmental security and energy security.

• Political Security:

Governance, law and order and human rights are key Constituents of political security in Nigeria. Nigeria national security is thus contingent on the government’s implementation of good governance in the public domain, the maintenance of law and order by law enforcement agencies and the ability of state and non‐state actors to effectively address human rights issues.

• Economic Security:

Economic security in Nigeria can be assessed in terms of the condition of having stable income or other resources to support a standard of living now and in the foreseeable future. The economic security of Nigeria also depends on the level of employment and inflation.

• Societal Security:

Gender inequality, violence against women and drug abuse are issues of social security which impinge on the national security of Nigeria. Nigeria has made great progress in the sphere of women’s empowerment over the years but the issue of drugs continues to be a national security concern. Although Nigeria is not a drug producing country, it is a destination country of drug smuggling from some neighboring countries as well as a transit country for drug trafficking to countries further afield.

Transnational Crime:

Smuggling is rampant across the porous borders between the West African boarders with cattle, rice and all forms of consumer goods being transferred illegally across the borders. Despite the negative economic impact of smuggling of consumer goods, the most nefarious form of smuggling is in arms and drugs. Organized criminal groups have been reported to smuggle all sort of materials from the spongy boarders.

Recommendations:

 This write up is submerged on making recommendations on how to manage some of these negative effects on the concepts of national security.

Nigeria’s answer to the future coordination of the security strategy architecture will provide the transformation and adaptation directions, including the armed forces. Some measures that the government may take include:

Constituting a Parliamentary Committee on National Security to help monitor the implementation and development of this strategy

Strengthening the capability to offer a strategic perspective on security Priorities and improve connections between defense, development, foreign and domestic security strategies.

 Creating a national security forum which includes representatives from government, politics, academia and others, to discuss strategy and exchange ideas

Like in the United Kingdom, there can be the publication of a National Risk Register and an annual update on the security challenges facing Bangladesh and progress on implementing the strategy

Conclusion

To build a cohesive National Security Strategy for Nigeria, there are two immediate requirements.

Firstly, there must be an understanding of the concepts and components of national security as it relates to our country, as well as clarification of the range of duties and responsibilities of the concerned

Stakeholders

Secondly, consensus must be reached on the constituents of the strategy by civil and military stakeholders. To meet the first requirement the civil society can undertake extensive research, advocacy and deliberation on this issue.

The second requirement can be met by robust civil‐military deliberations on the constituents of the National Security Strategy. Thus a cohesive civil‐military relationship is a prerequisite for building a National Security Strategy for Nigeria, which would enable the country to effectively address the key

National security concerns of terrorism, insurgency and resources security.

In order to ensure the safety and security of our nation, stakeholders from military and civil society must engage in robust discussions aimed at minimizing 10 communication and operational gaps and promulgate concerns and recommendations to envision a National Security Strategy.

A collaborative effort by military, civil authorities and experts is required to create such a strategy to

Prepare Nigeria for the complex security challenges of the 21st century.

I would like to conclude by saying that each country’s national security strategy needs to be tailor‐made according to its specific security environment, which comprises the expectations, values and interests of its citizens.