DILEMMAS OF CORRUPT DEFENSE EXPENDITURES AND NIGERIA NATIONAL SECURITY, 2015-2023

Abstract

The paper examined dilemmas of corrupt defense expenditures and Nigeria national security. As a result of insecurity in different forms in Nigeria such as Boko Haram activities, banditry, Islamic State's West Africa Province (ISWAP) activities, etc., the Nigerian government has been forced to intervene through expenditure programs in order to prosecute the war and provide developmental assistance in the country. Consequently, money is considered vital in winning wars. Despite the fact that billions of dollars have been spent over the years to restore peace in Nigeria, there have been calls of widespread corruption in the management of funds. This paper adopted a qualitative research design aimed at understanding of the relationship between corruption in defense expenditures and Nigeria national security. The paper relied on secondary sources of data, including scholarly articles, government reports, official statistics, and credible media reports. The paper found out that corruption stifles defense expenditure and increases insecurity in Nigeria. The paper then recommended, amongst others, that, A crucial step designed to enhance the readiness of the nation to fight all types of insecurity is the preparation and procurement for threats that are likely but have not yet materialized.