Tope Akinyetun | Lagos State University of Education (original) (raw)

Papers by Tope Akinyetun

Panoply Journal, 2023

This article presents an overview of armed conflict in the Lake Chad region of Nigeria, Chad, Nig... more This article presents an overview of armed conflict in the Lake Chad region of Nigeria, Chad, Niger, and Cameroon, particularly in relation to youth exclusion and grievances. The study aims to identify the drivers of youth exclusion and grievance, including marginalization, unemployment, poverty, state weakness, and relative deprivation. This study focuses on the specific case of the Lake Chad region and the role of exclusion and grievance in driving youth complicity in violence. The study adopts a qualitative and descriptive approach, analyzing previous research and reports to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge on youth, exclusion, and conflict in the Lake Chad region. The study finds that exclusion and grievance are major drivers of youth complicity in conflicts in the Lake Chad region, with factors such as poor economy, weak state presence, poverty and unemployment and poor governance exacerbating youth susceptibility to violence.

Africa Development, 2023

Security is a sine qua non for development. The Sahel is a troubled region and is described as th... more Security is a sine qua non for development. The Sahel is a troubled region and is described as the hotbed of insecurity in Africa. This state of insecurity was compounded by the outbreak of Covid-19. This article examines the regional impact of the pandemic on insecurity and development. It uses a meta-analysis and reviews secondary data to underscore the security and development imbroglio in the Sahel within the context of Covid-19. It was found that Covid-19 exacerbated the insecurity threat in the region due to pre-existing weak governance, poor capacity, grievances and climate change, which had already resulted in fragility, food insecurity, displacement, loss of livelihood, poverty, unemployment, hunger and a humanitarian crisis. The study concludes that armed groups took advantage of the health crisis to prolong conflicts which, coupled with the pre-existing economic conditions, became anathema to development. The article recommends that governments in the region should increase their health budget and enhance their capacity to respond to health emergencies such as the Covid-19 outbreak. The article further recommends that governments in the Sahelian states should prioritise good governance, improved security and regional cooperation to combat poverty.

Jurnal Politik, 2023

The Lake Chad region hosts a significant portion of sub-Saharan Africa's pastoralist activities. ... more The Lake Chad region hosts a significant portion of sub-Saharan Africa's pastoralist activities. Pastoralism in the region has become synonymous with armed conflict, thus escalating the tension in the area and making it a hotbed of insecurity. Among other things, the exacerbation of the herder-farmer crisis in this area is attributable to climate change. Lake Chad which serves as a source of water, fodder, and fertile land for herders and farmers in the region, has been shrinking. This, coupled with drought, flooding, and variability in weather patterns, forces pastoralists to move around and engage in a constant migratory pattern, resulting in warlike competition for resources with farmers in the host communities. This paper adds to the debate on the role of climate change in fueling pastoralist conflicts in the area. The discourse, presented using qualitative methods and secondary data sourced from journal articles, briefs, reports, and internet sources, is couched using the political ecology framework. The paper finds that intensity of violent events and fatalities involving pastoralists in the area is driven by the disruption of livelihood occasioned by climate change. Four patterns of pastoralist conflict in the area are identified: conflict between herders and farmers; between different pastoralist groups; between the pastoralist and government; and between the pastoralist and other resource users. The paper also identifies the effects of climate change on displacement, disruption of economic activities, and undermining pastoralist livelihood.

Kujenga Amani, 2023

African Journal of Democracy and Election Research, 2023

The proliferation of the Internet and social media is undoubtedly instrumental to the growth of d... more The proliferation of the Internet and social media is undoubtedly instrumental to the growth of democracy. The adoption of social media to campaign for and secure election victory by African leaders signaled the start of an era of digital democracy in Africa. Political freedom, engagement, and equality are projected to increase as a result of the digital democratic revolution. Recent events, however, show that Africa is far from benefiting from the Internet's ability to foster civic involvement, transparency, political connections, and mobilization. The flurry of fake news, hate speech, and digital dictatorships is destroying African democracy. Anchored on the theory of Networked Authoritarianism,

Journal of Contemporary Sociological Issues, 2023

Promoting sustainable peace is a major concern for world regions, especially one enmeshed in recu... more Promoting sustainable peace is a major concern for world regions, especially one enmeshed in recurring conflict and violence, such as in Africa. Ethnoreligious conflicts, boundary disputes, genocide, resource-based conflicts, and youth restiveness characterize many African nations. This idea has been made intricate by a surge in the youth population, massive unemployment, limited education opportunities, and widespread poverty that makes youth key factors in the generation of conflict in Africa. Despite these challenges, the youth of many African nations have distinguished themselves as agents of peace and conflict resolution. On this premise, this article examines youth as agents of peace and reconciliation in Africa. The paper adopts a thematic approach within a qualitative framework and relies on secondary data from briefs, newspapers, conference papers, government reports, and peer-reviewed journal articles. The paper found that shifting focus from the stereotypical prejudice of youth as agents of conflict to agents of peace is instrumental to unlocking their potential as actors in Africa's peace process and conflict resolution. It was also found that youth promote peace and inclusion through advocacy and civic engagement. They use tools such as music, arts, sports, education, storytelling, and interfaith dialogue to build cohesion, resilience, peace, and trust in various parts of Africa. Resultantly, the article made practical policy recommendations such as the establishment of an African Youth Assembly (AYA), African Youth Parliaments (AYP), Youth Participation Commission (YPC), and Youth Empowerment Commission (YEC)-among others.

The Romanian Intelligence Studies Review , 2022

The South East of Nigeria has been plagued with skirmishes of neo-civil war between the people of... more The South East of Nigeria has been plagued with skirmishes of neo-civil war between the people of the region and the government. The “new war” in the Southeast is softly prosecuted as a “siege” which is meant to achieve two basic objectives: genocide and economic asphyxiation; typical of what was obtained in the civil war era. Rooted in the sheer perceived malignment of the region mostly populated by the Ibos, the activities of the security forces set up to execute the objectives have been met with stiff resistance from the people through various groups including the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) in a struggle for survival. The paper adopts a qualitative approach that draws data from secondary sources such as textbooks, peer-reviewed journal articles, newspapers and internet sources. It is concluded that prolonged injustice and marginalization occasioned separatist movements and fuel insecurity in South East Nigeria. The paper recommends the re-integration of the people into governance to combat alienation and exclusion. Government should also promote the de-sieging of the region and convoke a Sovereign
National Conference that will involve critical stakeholders in the country to restore peace, engender social change and promote development in the region.

Security and Defense Quarterly, 2023

There is a compelling need to address the protracted and recurring multidimensional insecurity in... more There is a compelling need to address the protracted and recurring multidimensional insecurity in Nigeria. The prevalence of insecurity in the country is multipronged and caught in a cyclic web. Insecurity in Nigeria comprises insurgency, killer herdsmen, extrajudicial killings, ethnoreligious conflict, armed robbery, militancy, banditry, cybercrime and attacks by unknown gunmen, among other things. The incidence of attacks by unknown gunmen is pervasive and symptomatic of a fragile state where the government's monopoly of force is challenged and where marginalisation, crises and contested spaces are ubiquitous. The thrust of this paper is that the menace of unknown gunmen is pervasive and threatens to plunge Nigeria into a cesspit of fragility. The argument is predicated on the conceptual and theoretical suppositions of a fragile state. To this end, the paper adopts the documentary method of data collection and uses qualitative descriptive analysis to expound on the phenomenon. The findings reveal that the words unknown gunmenterminology that is used to describe the spate of insecurity in the country-are a bane to peaceful coexistence. The paper also shows that the insecurity caused by these armed attacks and other forms of threat is emblematic of a fragile state. Consequently, policy recommendations-state-building and peace-building-are proffered.

Plaridel, 2022

The role of social media in influencing political thinking, perception, and participation is beco... more The role of social media in influencing political thinking, perception, and participation is becoming increasingly important, as evident in the volume of research the topic has attracted. This article presents findings on social media, political efficacy, and political participation in Nigeria. The objective is to evaluate the relationship between social media and political efficacy; social media and political participation; and political efficacy and political participation in Nigeria. To this end, the study adopted a web survey design for sample participants across the country, using links distributed through Facebook and Twitter. Snowball sampling was adopted to determine the total number of respondents (N = 3,407). The results of the descriptive statistics and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient yielded evidence that the majority of social media users in Nigeria are male, young, educated and largely unemployed . It concludes that social media influences political efficacy and political participation in Nigeria.

Alternate Horizon, 2022

The democratic gains recorded since the adoption of democracy have been hit by a recession to aut... more The democratic gains recorded since the adoption of democracy have been hit by a recession to autocratic rule. One is then forced to ask: is democracy the problem? Is it possible that the Western style of democracy is not suitable for governance in Africa, or could it be that African leaders are generally undemocratic and adept at authoritarian rule? Can democracy in Africa be salvaged? Is democracy the solution to the wave of autocracy that presently pervades the continent? Indeed, these questions are endless and cannot be answered in this piece.
However, this essay argues that democracy in itself is not the problem, but rather weak democratic institutions.

Southern African Journal of Policy and Development, 2022

The wave of Coronavirus pandemic that hit the world coincides with Nigeria’s struggles with her n... more The wave of Coronavirus pandemic that hit the world coincides with Nigeria’s struggles with her newly attained position as the poverty capital of the world. This paper argues that prevalent poverty is a pandemic that the world has learnt to live with and that Nigeria is struggling to overcome. The agony of poverty in the country coupled with the coronavirus pandemic subjects the country to a quandary of a dual-pandemic scourge.
The paper relies on secondary data and adopts a descriptive and analytic approach. It concludes that multidimensional poverty in Nigeria is pervasive and has become deepened by the pandemic which led to a shutdown of economic activities in various countries of the world. The paper recommends that the government should commit to schemes, policies and projects that aim at reducing [multidimensional] poverty to avoid the rise of new poor as well as being proactive in treating poverty as a pandemic capable of plunging the country into an abyss of underdevelopment.

Kujenga Amani, 2022

This article seeks to address the following pertinent questions: “Why are some African countries ... more This article seeks to address the following pertinent questions: “Why are some African countries experiencing democratic backsliding now? Do African states have weak institutions that are incapable of preventing the emergence of dictatorship, or is the trend the result of the persistence of an undemocratic political culture? Can it be the result of growing socio-economic inequality, leadership deficits, or the unresolved nature of the
citizenship question in some countries?” To answer these questions, it is imperative to reflect on the context of democratic backsliding in Africa.

Društvene i humanističke studije - DHS, 2022

Extrajudicial killings attributed to personnel of the Nigerian Police in the conduct of their con... more Extrajudicial killings attributed to personnel of the Nigerian Police in the conduct of their constitutional duties and responsibilities have become prevalent in recent times. They have been accused of human rights violations, torture, brutality, and unlawful killings of varying proportions. This palpable, yet injurious trend has become a strain on effective policing and security in Nigeria. This paper examines the role of the Nigeria Police Force in extrajudicial killings in the course of discharging their duties since the return to civilian rule in 1999 and how Police reforms can help increase police accountability. The paper was anchored on the organizational theory of police behaviour and adopts a qualitative approach by reviewing the literature on extrajudicial killings by the Nigerian police as available in peer-reviewed journal articles, government reports, media reports, newspapers, and international agencies reports. The findings show that the Nigerian Police have been largely complicit in extrajudicial killings. It also shows that organizational deficits such as corruption, lack of investigative infrastructure, lack of human rights training, poor working conditions, poor internal control, and the often abused Order 237 are major factors that enhance the perpetuation of the incidence of extrajudicial killings by the Police. The study concluded that without a sincere approach toward reforming the Police, extrajudicial killings might become a dominant narrative. Therefore, the paper recommends that a comprehensive security reform of the Nigerian Police should be carried out in conjunction with the private sector and Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria.

Journal of Central and Eastern European African Studies, 2022

The increase in the spate of insecurity in West Africa and the Sahel has assumed colossal proport... more The increase in the spate of insecurity in West Africa and the Sahel has
assumed colossal proportions. Insecurity in the region is largely
perpetuated by non-state actors that continue to rise in numbers and
evolve in operations. Indeed, armed non-state actors pervade Niger, Mali,
Burkina Faso, Chad and Nigeria. The proliferation of these armed nonstate actors constitutes a bane to the development of the region as it
further subjects the region to extreme poverty, unprecedented
humanitarian crisis and state fragility. This paper, therefore, examines
how the mutually reinforcing challenges of climate change, bad
governance, local militias, ungoverned space and poverty have
necessitated the polarization of terror networks. This is done through the
adoption of a qualitative approach and reliance on secondary sources of
data such as textbooks, peer-reviewed journal articles, government
reports, newspaper articles, online newspapers etc. The paper finds that
governance is a critical driver and predictive element in the understanding
of the proliferation of ANSAs. It concludes that ANSAs take advantage of
poor governance to establish an informal governance system that adopts
violence to maintain control whilst encouraging a shadow economy
characterized by terrorism, kidnap for ransom, rivalry attacks and illegal
activities. The paper, therefore, recommends the adoption of a framework
of local governance characterized by responsive institutions, inclusive
politics and resilient society.

Journal of Contemporary Sociological Issues, 2021

The number of poor people in Nigeria continues to grow at an exponential rate, while Nigeria rema... more The number of poor people in Nigeria continues to grow at an exponential rate, while Nigeria remains the poverty capital of the world. As a result, cybercrime has become a haven for youths. The festering of cybercrime increases the chances of cyberterrorism, hate speech proliferation, and radicalization – all of which pose a danger to national security in Nigeria. As a result, this study adopts an analytic approach to the interplay of poverty, cybercrime, and national security in Nigeria. The findings reveal that poverty is a major driver of cybercrime in Nigeria while cybercrime is a threat to national security. It shows that with the prevalence of poverty, deprivation, and inequality, many Nigerian youths turn to crime to realize the Nigeria of their dreams. In the same vein, cybercrime undermines national security by exposing various individuals to violence, cyberespionage, cyberstalking, and manipulation. The study, therefore, recommends that decisive policies be targeted at red...

History, Education, Society and Unionism, 2021

The transmogrification of organized crime from a domiciliary posture to a periphery stance has in... more The transmogrification of organized crime from a domiciliary posture to a periphery stance has in recent times become a recurring subject of discourse among security experts, intelligentsias and policymakers. This is imperative given the web of connectivity among states that necessitate the movement of people, goods and illicit activities beyond their borders-thus intensifying the incidence of Transnational Organized Crime (TOC). Crimes such as smuggling, kidnapping, drug and human trafficking, money laundering, cybercrime, oil theft, maritime piracy and arms proliferation-among others-has engendered a security quandary in the country. This paper, therefore, advances the discussion on TOC and examines the synthesis of organized crime and insecurity as an aftereffect of increased cross-border activities. It also appraises the role of facilitators in committing TOC. The paper adopts a documentary-based descriptive and analytical approach that relies mainly on secondary sources of data from journal articles, official documents, government reports and internet sources. It was concluded that transnational organized crimes have a direct consequence for the rise and fomentation of violence by Violent Non-State Actors (VNSA) and Non-State Armed Groups (NSAG) such as the Boko Haram sect, ISWAP, bandits, militant Fulani herdsmen and unknown gunmen. The paper recommends that the government should make relevant laws to address arms proliferation, build up governance capacity to address the socioeconomic conditions that necessitate crime and equip border security agents to tackle TOC.

Democracy & Development: Journal of West African Affairs , 2021

The relationship between social media use and civic participation in a Nigerian context has spark... more The relationship between social media use and civic participation in a Nigerian context has sparked considerable commentary. The discussion has become more intense following the #Endsars protests in late 2020 by Nigerian youths against police brutality by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad-a unit of the Nigerian police accused of extrajudicial killings, intimidation and human rights abuses. This paper argues that increased social media use by Nigerian youths has also increased youth civic participation, thus necessitating activism. The paper adopts a descriptive and historical approach that draws on secondary sources of data. It concludes that youths are beginning to engage in civic activities beyond the traditional norms of voting to a more justice-oriented sphere by demanding equity and increased involvement in public life using social media.

Društvene i humanističke studije, 2021

Nigeria is a nation with plural ethnic, religious, lingual and cultural identities that are const... more Nigeria is a nation with plural ethnic, religious, lingual and cultural identities that are constantly exploited by the political class to promote their selfish interest. Although not a determinant forconflict, diversity in Nigeria has unjustifiably sparked identity-based conflicts which necessitateseparatism, insurgency and ethnic restiveness – among others, which threatens to drive the country to a perpetual state of fragility. This paper thence sought to assess Nigeria’s tortuous experience with identity and identity politics with particular reference to ethnic, religious, and lingual challenges. The paper furthers the discussion on identity politics in Nigeria to proffer practicable solutions. It argues that identity consciousness has overtaken national consciousness and engendered a relationship characterized by domination, superiority and hegemony by the various groups. It reveals that the currency of politics is an ethnic-hegemony-rivalry sentiment that threatens national int...

State Policing in Nigeria: Beyond Necessity

International journal of research in social sciences, 2016

The delivery of internal security is the exclusive role of the government and should be done with... more The delivery of internal security is the exclusive role of the government and should be done with all urgency, seriousness and sincerity. The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) presently lacks: adequate personnel, adequate funds, adequate infrastructure, up-to-date equipment, intelligence training, specialized departments, freedom from political interference cum manipulation, discipline, and technology, all of which is essential for effectiveness and efficiency. It is based on this proviso that this paper attempts to remedy the inadequacies of the Nigerian Police Force arguing that in spite of the socioeconomic , ecological and socio-cultural impediments of the institution and the objections against decentralizing the institution, having a state police is the most effectual way to go for it will have a far reaching positive effect in curbing insecurity, crime, armed robbery, kidnappings, and extortion currently bedeviling the Nigerian state especially at the rural level, after all, most of the groups start by organizing themselves at this level.

Panoply Journal, 2023

This article presents an overview of armed conflict in the Lake Chad region of Nigeria, Chad, Nig... more This article presents an overview of armed conflict in the Lake Chad region of Nigeria, Chad, Niger, and Cameroon, particularly in relation to youth exclusion and grievances. The study aims to identify the drivers of youth exclusion and grievance, including marginalization, unemployment, poverty, state weakness, and relative deprivation. This study focuses on the specific case of the Lake Chad region and the role of exclusion and grievance in driving youth complicity in violence. The study adopts a qualitative and descriptive approach, analyzing previous research and reports to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge on youth, exclusion, and conflict in the Lake Chad region. The study finds that exclusion and grievance are major drivers of youth complicity in conflicts in the Lake Chad region, with factors such as poor economy, weak state presence, poverty and unemployment and poor governance exacerbating youth susceptibility to violence.

Africa Development, 2023

Security is a sine qua non for development. The Sahel is a troubled region and is described as th... more Security is a sine qua non for development. The Sahel is a troubled region and is described as the hotbed of insecurity in Africa. This state of insecurity was compounded by the outbreak of Covid-19. This article examines the regional impact of the pandemic on insecurity and development. It uses a meta-analysis and reviews secondary data to underscore the security and development imbroglio in the Sahel within the context of Covid-19. It was found that Covid-19 exacerbated the insecurity threat in the region due to pre-existing weak governance, poor capacity, grievances and climate change, which had already resulted in fragility, food insecurity, displacement, loss of livelihood, poverty, unemployment, hunger and a humanitarian crisis. The study concludes that armed groups took advantage of the health crisis to prolong conflicts which, coupled with the pre-existing economic conditions, became anathema to development. The article recommends that governments in the region should increase their health budget and enhance their capacity to respond to health emergencies such as the Covid-19 outbreak. The article further recommends that governments in the Sahelian states should prioritise good governance, improved security and regional cooperation to combat poverty.

Jurnal Politik, 2023

The Lake Chad region hosts a significant portion of sub-Saharan Africa's pastoralist activities. ... more The Lake Chad region hosts a significant portion of sub-Saharan Africa's pastoralist activities. Pastoralism in the region has become synonymous with armed conflict, thus escalating the tension in the area and making it a hotbed of insecurity. Among other things, the exacerbation of the herder-farmer crisis in this area is attributable to climate change. Lake Chad which serves as a source of water, fodder, and fertile land for herders and farmers in the region, has been shrinking. This, coupled with drought, flooding, and variability in weather patterns, forces pastoralists to move around and engage in a constant migratory pattern, resulting in warlike competition for resources with farmers in the host communities. This paper adds to the debate on the role of climate change in fueling pastoralist conflicts in the area. The discourse, presented using qualitative methods and secondary data sourced from journal articles, briefs, reports, and internet sources, is couched using the political ecology framework. The paper finds that intensity of violent events and fatalities involving pastoralists in the area is driven by the disruption of livelihood occasioned by climate change. Four patterns of pastoralist conflict in the area are identified: conflict between herders and farmers; between different pastoralist groups; between the pastoralist and government; and between the pastoralist and other resource users. The paper also identifies the effects of climate change on displacement, disruption of economic activities, and undermining pastoralist livelihood.

Kujenga Amani, 2023

African Journal of Democracy and Election Research, 2023

The proliferation of the Internet and social media is undoubtedly instrumental to the growth of d... more The proliferation of the Internet and social media is undoubtedly instrumental to the growth of democracy. The adoption of social media to campaign for and secure election victory by African leaders signaled the start of an era of digital democracy in Africa. Political freedom, engagement, and equality are projected to increase as a result of the digital democratic revolution. Recent events, however, show that Africa is far from benefiting from the Internet's ability to foster civic involvement, transparency, political connections, and mobilization. The flurry of fake news, hate speech, and digital dictatorships is destroying African democracy. Anchored on the theory of Networked Authoritarianism,

Journal of Contemporary Sociological Issues, 2023

Promoting sustainable peace is a major concern for world regions, especially one enmeshed in recu... more Promoting sustainable peace is a major concern for world regions, especially one enmeshed in recurring conflict and violence, such as in Africa. Ethnoreligious conflicts, boundary disputes, genocide, resource-based conflicts, and youth restiveness characterize many African nations. This idea has been made intricate by a surge in the youth population, massive unemployment, limited education opportunities, and widespread poverty that makes youth key factors in the generation of conflict in Africa. Despite these challenges, the youth of many African nations have distinguished themselves as agents of peace and conflict resolution. On this premise, this article examines youth as agents of peace and reconciliation in Africa. The paper adopts a thematic approach within a qualitative framework and relies on secondary data from briefs, newspapers, conference papers, government reports, and peer-reviewed journal articles. The paper found that shifting focus from the stereotypical prejudice of youth as agents of conflict to agents of peace is instrumental to unlocking their potential as actors in Africa's peace process and conflict resolution. It was also found that youth promote peace and inclusion through advocacy and civic engagement. They use tools such as music, arts, sports, education, storytelling, and interfaith dialogue to build cohesion, resilience, peace, and trust in various parts of Africa. Resultantly, the article made practical policy recommendations such as the establishment of an African Youth Assembly (AYA), African Youth Parliaments (AYP), Youth Participation Commission (YPC), and Youth Empowerment Commission (YEC)-among others.

The Romanian Intelligence Studies Review , 2022

The South East of Nigeria has been plagued with skirmishes of neo-civil war between the people of... more The South East of Nigeria has been plagued with skirmishes of neo-civil war between the people of the region and the government. The “new war” in the Southeast is softly prosecuted as a “siege” which is meant to achieve two basic objectives: genocide and economic asphyxiation; typical of what was obtained in the civil war era. Rooted in the sheer perceived malignment of the region mostly populated by the Ibos, the activities of the security forces set up to execute the objectives have been met with stiff resistance from the people through various groups including the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) in a struggle for survival. The paper adopts a qualitative approach that draws data from secondary sources such as textbooks, peer-reviewed journal articles, newspapers and internet sources. It is concluded that prolonged injustice and marginalization occasioned separatist movements and fuel insecurity in South East Nigeria. The paper recommends the re-integration of the people into governance to combat alienation and exclusion. Government should also promote the de-sieging of the region and convoke a Sovereign
National Conference that will involve critical stakeholders in the country to restore peace, engender social change and promote development in the region.

Security and Defense Quarterly, 2023

There is a compelling need to address the protracted and recurring multidimensional insecurity in... more There is a compelling need to address the protracted and recurring multidimensional insecurity in Nigeria. The prevalence of insecurity in the country is multipronged and caught in a cyclic web. Insecurity in Nigeria comprises insurgency, killer herdsmen, extrajudicial killings, ethnoreligious conflict, armed robbery, militancy, banditry, cybercrime and attacks by unknown gunmen, among other things. The incidence of attacks by unknown gunmen is pervasive and symptomatic of a fragile state where the government's monopoly of force is challenged and where marginalisation, crises and contested spaces are ubiquitous. The thrust of this paper is that the menace of unknown gunmen is pervasive and threatens to plunge Nigeria into a cesspit of fragility. The argument is predicated on the conceptual and theoretical suppositions of a fragile state. To this end, the paper adopts the documentary method of data collection and uses qualitative descriptive analysis to expound on the phenomenon. The findings reveal that the words unknown gunmenterminology that is used to describe the spate of insecurity in the country-are a bane to peaceful coexistence. The paper also shows that the insecurity caused by these armed attacks and other forms of threat is emblematic of a fragile state. Consequently, policy recommendations-state-building and peace-building-are proffered.

Plaridel, 2022

The role of social media in influencing political thinking, perception, and participation is beco... more The role of social media in influencing political thinking, perception, and participation is becoming increasingly important, as evident in the volume of research the topic has attracted. This article presents findings on social media, political efficacy, and political participation in Nigeria. The objective is to evaluate the relationship between social media and political efficacy; social media and political participation; and political efficacy and political participation in Nigeria. To this end, the study adopted a web survey design for sample participants across the country, using links distributed through Facebook and Twitter. Snowball sampling was adopted to determine the total number of respondents (N = 3,407). The results of the descriptive statistics and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient yielded evidence that the majority of social media users in Nigeria are male, young, educated and largely unemployed . It concludes that social media influences political efficacy and political participation in Nigeria.

Alternate Horizon, 2022

The democratic gains recorded since the adoption of democracy have been hit by a recession to aut... more The democratic gains recorded since the adoption of democracy have been hit by a recession to autocratic rule. One is then forced to ask: is democracy the problem? Is it possible that the Western style of democracy is not suitable for governance in Africa, or could it be that African leaders are generally undemocratic and adept at authoritarian rule? Can democracy in Africa be salvaged? Is democracy the solution to the wave of autocracy that presently pervades the continent? Indeed, these questions are endless and cannot be answered in this piece.
However, this essay argues that democracy in itself is not the problem, but rather weak democratic institutions.

Southern African Journal of Policy and Development, 2022

The wave of Coronavirus pandemic that hit the world coincides with Nigeria’s struggles with her n... more The wave of Coronavirus pandemic that hit the world coincides with Nigeria’s struggles with her newly attained position as the poverty capital of the world. This paper argues that prevalent poverty is a pandemic that the world has learnt to live with and that Nigeria is struggling to overcome. The agony of poverty in the country coupled with the coronavirus pandemic subjects the country to a quandary of a dual-pandemic scourge.
The paper relies on secondary data and adopts a descriptive and analytic approach. It concludes that multidimensional poverty in Nigeria is pervasive and has become deepened by the pandemic which led to a shutdown of economic activities in various countries of the world. The paper recommends that the government should commit to schemes, policies and projects that aim at reducing [multidimensional] poverty to avoid the rise of new poor as well as being proactive in treating poverty as a pandemic capable of plunging the country into an abyss of underdevelopment.

Kujenga Amani, 2022

This article seeks to address the following pertinent questions: “Why are some African countries ... more This article seeks to address the following pertinent questions: “Why are some African countries experiencing democratic backsliding now? Do African states have weak institutions that are incapable of preventing the emergence of dictatorship, or is the trend the result of the persistence of an undemocratic political culture? Can it be the result of growing socio-economic inequality, leadership deficits, or the unresolved nature of the
citizenship question in some countries?” To answer these questions, it is imperative to reflect on the context of democratic backsliding in Africa.

Društvene i humanističke studije - DHS, 2022

Extrajudicial killings attributed to personnel of the Nigerian Police in the conduct of their con... more Extrajudicial killings attributed to personnel of the Nigerian Police in the conduct of their constitutional duties and responsibilities have become prevalent in recent times. They have been accused of human rights violations, torture, brutality, and unlawful killings of varying proportions. This palpable, yet injurious trend has become a strain on effective policing and security in Nigeria. This paper examines the role of the Nigeria Police Force in extrajudicial killings in the course of discharging their duties since the return to civilian rule in 1999 and how Police reforms can help increase police accountability. The paper was anchored on the organizational theory of police behaviour and adopts a qualitative approach by reviewing the literature on extrajudicial killings by the Nigerian police as available in peer-reviewed journal articles, government reports, media reports, newspapers, and international agencies reports. The findings show that the Nigerian Police have been largely complicit in extrajudicial killings. It also shows that organizational deficits such as corruption, lack of investigative infrastructure, lack of human rights training, poor working conditions, poor internal control, and the often abused Order 237 are major factors that enhance the perpetuation of the incidence of extrajudicial killings by the Police. The study concluded that without a sincere approach toward reforming the Police, extrajudicial killings might become a dominant narrative. Therefore, the paper recommends that a comprehensive security reform of the Nigerian Police should be carried out in conjunction with the private sector and Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria.

Journal of Central and Eastern European African Studies, 2022

The increase in the spate of insecurity in West Africa and the Sahel has assumed colossal proport... more The increase in the spate of insecurity in West Africa and the Sahel has
assumed colossal proportions. Insecurity in the region is largely
perpetuated by non-state actors that continue to rise in numbers and
evolve in operations. Indeed, armed non-state actors pervade Niger, Mali,
Burkina Faso, Chad and Nigeria. The proliferation of these armed nonstate actors constitutes a bane to the development of the region as it
further subjects the region to extreme poverty, unprecedented
humanitarian crisis and state fragility. This paper, therefore, examines
how the mutually reinforcing challenges of climate change, bad
governance, local militias, ungoverned space and poverty have
necessitated the polarization of terror networks. This is done through the
adoption of a qualitative approach and reliance on secondary sources of
data such as textbooks, peer-reviewed journal articles, government
reports, newspaper articles, online newspapers etc. The paper finds that
governance is a critical driver and predictive element in the understanding
of the proliferation of ANSAs. It concludes that ANSAs take advantage of
poor governance to establish an informal governance system that adopts
violence to maintain control whilst encouraging a shadow economy
characterized by terrorism, kidnap for ransom, rivalry attacks and illegal
activities. The paper, therefore, recommends the adoption of a framework
of local governance characterized by responsive institutions, inclusive
politics and resilient society.

Journal of Contemporary Sociological Issues, 2021

The number of poor people in Nigeria continues to grow at an exponential rate, while Nigeria rema... more The number of poor people in Nigeria continues to grow at an exponential rate, while Nigeria remains the poverty capital of the world. As a result, cybercrime has become a haven for youths. The festering of cybercrime increases the chances of cyberterrorism, hate speech proliferation, and radicalization – all of which pose a danger to national security in Nigeria. As a result, this study adopts an analytic approach to the interplay of poverty, cybercrime, and national security in Nigeria. The findings reveal that poverty is a major driver of cybercrime in Nigeria while cybercrime is a threat to national security. It shows that with the prevalence of poverty, deprivation, and inequality, many Nigerian youths turn to crime to realize the Nigeria of their dreams. In the same vein, cybercrime undermines national security by exposing various individuals to violence, cyberespionage, cyberstalking, and manipulation. The study, therefore, recommends that decisive policies be targeted at red...

History, Education, Society and Unionism, 2021

The transmogrification of organized crime from a domiciliary posture to a periphery stance has in... more The transmogrification of organized crime from a domiciliary posture to a periphery stance has in recent times become a recurring subject of discourse among security experts, intelligentsias and policymakers. This is imperative given the web of connectivity among states that necessitate the movement of people, goods and illicit activities beyond their borders-thus intensifying the incidence of Transnational Organized Crime (TOC). Crimes such as smuggling, kidnapping, drug and human trafficking, money laundering, cybercrime, oil theft, maritime piracy and arms proliferation-among others-has engendered a security quandary in the country. This paper, therefore, advances the discussion on TOC and examines the synthesis of organized crime and insecurity as an aftereffect of increased cross-border activities. It also appraises the role of facilitators in committing TOC. The paper adopts a documentary-based descriptive and analytical approach that relies mainly on secondary sources of data from journal articles, official documents, government reports and internet sources. It was concluded that transnational organized crimes have a direct consequence for the rise and fomentation of violence by Violent Non-State Actors (VNSA) and Non-State Armed Groups (NSAG) such as the Boko Haram sect, ISWAP, bandits, militant Fulani herdsmen and unknown gunmen. The paper recommends that the government should make relevant laws to address arms proliferation, build up governance capacity to address the socioeconomic conditions that necessitate crime and equip border security agents to tackle TOC.

Democracy & Development: Journal of West African Affairs , 2021

The relationship between social media use and civic participation in a Nigerian context has spark... more The relationship between social media use and civic participation in a Nigerian context has sparked considerable commentary. The discussion has become more intense following the #Endsars protests in late 2020 by Nigerian youths against police brutality by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad-a unit of the Nigerian police accused of extrajudicial killings, intimidation and human rights abuses. This paper argues that increased social media use by Nigerian youths has also increased youth civic participation, thus necessitating activism. The paper adopts a descriptive and historical approach that draws on secondary sources of data. It concludes that youths are beginning to engage in civic activities beyond the traditional norms of voting to a more justice-oriented sphere by demanding equity and increased involvement in public life using social media.

Društvene i humanističke studije, 2021

Nigeria is a nation with plural ethnic, religious, lingual and cultural identities that are const... more Nigeria is a nation with plural ethnic, religious, lingual and cultural identities that are constantly exploited by the political class to promote their selfish interest. Although not a determinant forconflict, diversity in Nigeria has unjustifiably sparked identity-based conflicts which necessitateseparatism, insurgency and ethnic restiveness – among others, which threatens to drive the country to a perpetual state of fragility. This paper thence sought to assess Nigeria’s tortuous experience with identity and identity politics with particular reference to ethnic, religious, and lingual challenges. The paper furthers the discussion on identity politics in Nigeria to proffer practicable solutions. It argues that identity consciousness has overtaken national consciousness and engendered a relationship characterized by domination, superiority and hegemony by the various groups. It reveals that the currency of politics is an ethnic-hegemony-rivalry sentiment that threatens national int...

State Policing in Nigeria: Beyond Necessity

International journal of research in social sciences, 2016

The delivery of internal security is the exclusive role of the government and should be done with... more The delivery of internal security is the exclusive role of the government and should be done with all urgency, seriousness and sincerity. The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) presently lacks: adequate personnel, adequate funds, adequate infrastructure, up-to-date equipment, intelligence training, specialized departments, freedom from political interference cum manipulation, discipline, and technology, all of which is essential for effectiveness and efficiency. It is based on this proviso that this paper attempts to remedy the inadequacies of the Nigerian Police Force arguing that in spite of the socioeconomic , ecological and socio-cultural impediments of the institution and the objections against decentralizing the institution, having a state police is the most effectual way to go for it will have a far reaching positive effect in curbing insecurity, crime, armed robbery, kidnappings, and extortion currently bedeviling the Nigerian state especially at the rural level, after all, most of the groups start by organizing themselves at this level.

There is an arduous need to study the society and this has given rise to various theories and int... more There is an arduous need to study the society and this has given rise to various theories and interrelated concepts to describe, explain and even predict how the society and its parts are related to each other. This vehement task which seeks to scientifically test, combine, magnify, enlarge, clarify, and expand our understanding of people, their behaviours, and their societies has not been futile as researchers, scholars, academia and even thinkers have come up with macro theories i.e. Conflict and Functional theories, which aims at studying society, say millions of people in a state, country, or even at the world level and micro theories i.e. Symbolic Interactionism or Social Exchange theories, which studies small groups or individuals, say a couple, family, or team. It is in view of this that this paper seeks to appraise Structural-Functionalism theory and its uses to the political system.