THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE NIGERIAN MILITARY (1998-2015): A POLICY ANALYSIS

Abstract

This paper examines the contemporary trend in security challenges facing the military in the 21st century world; with emphasis on the experiences of Nigeria and other third world countries. The paper argues that the new dimension of security threats is more challenging to the developing nations but does not totally exempt the developed nations which make military transformation a globalized phenomenon. By 2020, all countries are expected to have objectively transformed and modernized their military to combat the new wave threats and maintain global peace. In view of this, the paper made an in-depth exploration of the activities of the Nigerian military hierarchy and the federal government in the transformation process toward combating the challenges of internal insurgency (especially ‘Boko Haram’ insurgency) and external aggression. Consequently, it accomplishes the main objective of ‘on-the-process’ evaluation by highlighting key issues, positive effects and challenges facing the process. It calls for a paradigm shift in the behavioural tenacity of the stakeholders and argued that the success of the process hinges on the concept of attitudinal change in which the military personnel inculcate professional attitude by imbibing discipline and respect for civil laws. The paper recommends that the Nigeria government should sustain the tempo of it committed political will and encouraged the military hierarchy to be holistic in the process by carrying all stakeholders along and avoid its politicization among others.