Implications for National Security in Nigeria

Abstract

The federal government of Nigeria ordered the partial closure of all land borders with her neighbours such as Benin Republic, Cameroun, Chad and Niger on the 20th August, 2019.The decision by the Nigerian government was to curb smuggling of contra-band agro-allied products (especially rice and poultry products), petroleum products (especially premium motor spirit), reduce influx of illegal migrants, control proliferation of small arms and light weapons and, finally to strengthen internal security of the country. However, this government policy has resulted in increase in inflation rate to above 11.85 percent, closure of business by some manufacturing companies, loss of jobs, increase in security challenges, and also a breach of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) protocols and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) guidelines etc. The study aimed at identifying the factors responsible for border closure, the implications for the closure for national security in Nigeria, and solutions to address these problems. It adopted secondary method of data collection which includedtextbooks, journals, newspapers, magazines and internet information. The study adopted frustration-aggression theory as its theoretical framework. The study adopted library research and documentary evidence as its instruments of data analysis. The findings of the study showed that border closure has resulted in inflationary pressure, increase in local rice production, unemployment due to lay-offs etc. The study recommended installation of security equipment /device that can track down illegal migrants and smugglers of contra-band goods, strict adherence to ECOWAS protocols and AfCFTA guidelines etc.