Nigerian Defense Policy in Post Civil War Era

Abstract

This study seeks to examine the Nigerian defense policy in post-civil war era. Nigeria's national defense Policy since independence has been to protect peace, security, and territorial integrity. This study is an exploratory study. As a result of this, it is unavoidable that secondary data will have to be used. This research, therefore, relied on data from climate journals throughout the globe. In addition, the research collected data from textbooks, journal articles, newspapers, and magazines. Global concerns have transcended peacekeeping without a strong economy, effective governance technology, and motivation, which are challenging Nigeria's military Policy. Terrorism threatens Nigeria's defense Policy. Nigeria's defense Policy covers military capabilities and deterrent against foreign danger, but it lacks the resources to combat terrorism. Nigeria's defense Policy seems to depend mainly on military strength as a deterrent, rather than superior technology/infrastructure, motivation, and resources to combat terrorism. The Nigerian defense doctrine also failed to recognize the new dimension of waging war via asymmetric or ultra-irregular warfare and terrorist abduction and suicide bombing. It appears as if the Nigeria’s defense policy depends solely on deterrence without taking cognizance of the volatile insecurity issues in which terrorism takes the lead.  Deterrence alone cannot cope with the magnitude of crises that are affecting world peace and security. The Nigeria’s Defense policy in recent time must not be confined to technical judgment of exhaustively military land but take account of geographical and social influence and venture deeply into the realms of economic and technology.  Global environment is experiencing dynamic changes in threat issues and military revolution in which the Nigeria’s defense policy does not take into consideration and if taken at all is at the detriment of sufficient technology, motivation, economic development and proper allocation of resources. Terrorism is a dangerous phenomenon in which Nigeria must be addressing its defense policy in line with global environment.