Military Expenditure and Human Security in Nigeria: A Content Analysis

Abstract

This study examined the impacts of military expenditure on human security in Nigeria. Following ex post facto research design, data were collected from BudgIT Nigeria, newspapers, and corporate websites and analyzed using content analysis. The results revealed that military expenditure is on the increase, caused by increasing crime wave, with negative effects on such human security indicators as health, food security, economy and education. Human security is vital for national development and should form the essential agenda of all nations. The government and its policymakers should focus more on harm reduction by investing in human security to reduce security threats and increase the capacity for peacebuilding and public safety, with the resulting effects on budget reduction.