CHALLENGES OF DEVELOPING SECURITY AWARENESS PROGRAM IN NIGERIA AND ITS IMPLICATION ON SAFETY IN NIGERIA (A CASE STUDY OF LAGOS STATE)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Presently, Nigeria has witnessed a high level of insecurity which has made national security threat to be a severe issue for the government and has further prompted huge allocation of the national budget to security. In order to lessen the incidence of crime in Nigeria, security awareness program must be developed. This has led the federal government to engaging on criminalization of terrorism by passing the Anti-Terrorism Act in 2011 into law, installation of Computer-based Closed Circuit Television cameras (CCTV) in some parts of the country, improvement of surveillance coupled with careful investigation of criminal related offences, heightening of physical security measures around the country aimed at preventing major attacks, strengthening of security agencies through the provision of security facilities and the development and broadcast of security tips in mass media.

In spite of these serious attempts, the level of insecurity in the country remains very high. Furthermore, Nigeria has continued to rank low in the Global Peace Index (GPI, 2012), signifying a very bad or high state of insecurity in the country.

Any nation that neglects the significance of security should be ready to face instabilities and threats to her corporate existence. The previous governments both military and civilian have made advances to pay lip-services to security as reflected in inadequate funding and equipping of these security departments especially the Nigerian Police Force, Lagos state. As an outcome of the lack of prioritization of needs of these security providers in Nigeria, the country has frequently faced destabilizing threats to her corporate existence and national integration. The lack of training and deficient man-power discovered amongst these wretchedly funded and badly motivated security forces, has continued to create man-power deficits needed to fight-off these security challenges particularly, in Nigerian police force where there are only 205 policemen protecting 100,000 citizens as against the UNO (UNO Report, 2012).

The multi-ethnic and cultural nature of Nigeria and the feeble judicial institutions and politicization of security matters as a result of interferences by politicians have ceaselessly continued to force these security departments to give up their statutory duties to the detriment of effective national security management. Extended delays to response to threat pointer saverts and engenders adverse public image of these security forces and negatively influence public perceptions and relationship with these security forces. This further makes the public unwilling to reveal critical security information to them to the detriment of effective management of national security matters. The over-bearing effects of tribal and religious attitudes in recruitment and composition of the security forces in Nigeria, has had negative impacts on their ability to produce and work effectively. Similarly, the neglects discovered by the past Nigerian governments to give priority attention and respond to the operational and administrative needs of security departments has led to failures and also affected combat readiness of these forces negatively.

1.2. STATEMENT OF THE GENERAL PROBLEM

The constant menace of insecurity in Nigeria has led to the loss of many Nigerians who naturally may have been saved if they had developed some level security awareness. The lack of adequate consciousness of our environment has led to deaths and loss of properties. This has a negative effect on the economy as investors would not want to invest in a nation that is not security conscious. The challenge of ensuring the creation of security awareness is a daunting one as it has not yet been achieved due to several factors.

1.3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The major aim of the study is to evaluate the challenges of developing security awareness program in Nigeria and its implications on safety. Other specific objectives are as follows;

1. To examine the level of insecurity in Nigeria.
2. To investigate the major causes of insecurity in Nigeria.
3. To examine the impact of insecurity on safety in Nigeria.
4. To determine the major reason for the inability to effectively develop security awareness.
5. To recommend ways of improving the security awareness of Nigerians.

1.4. RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What are the challenges of developing security awareness in Nigeria?
2. What are the major implications of insecurity on safety in Nigeria?
3. What is the level of insecurity in Nigeria?
4. What are the major causes of insecurity in Nigeria?
5. What is the impact of insecurity on safety in Nigeria?
6. What is the major reason for the inability to effectively develop security awareness?
7. What are the ways of improving the security awareness of Nigerians?

1.5. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

H0: Developing security awareness does not influence safety

H1: Developing security awareness influences safety

1.6. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study would be of immense importance to the Nigerian populace and government at all levels as it would unveil the need for creating adequate security awareness and its implications on safety of Nigerians. The study would equally be beneficial to students, researchers and scholars who are interested in developing a further research on the subject matter.

1.7. SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study is restricted to the challenges of developing security awareness program in Nigeria and its implications on safety using Lagos state as the case study.

1.8 LIMITATION OF STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Security:  The state of being free from danger, threat or a state of being safe, as well as the measures taken to be safe or protected. 

Awareness: Having knowledge that something exists, or understanding of a situation or subject at the present time based on information or experience

Program: A set of related measures, activities, events or performances with a particular long-term aim.

Safety: Relative freedom from danger, risk, threat of harm, injury, loss to personnel and property, whether caused deliberately or by accident.