Poverty and National Security in Nigeria

Abstract

Although poverty is a global phenomenon, its effects on the security of each country vary. In Nigeria with a large population of people living below the poverty level, the poor masses become, restive and vulnerable in their desperation to forge a living. It is in this circumstance that criminally minded leaders (political or religious) manipulate the vulnerable poor masses to carry out their wishes. It is the vulnerability of the poor for easy manipulation that threatens national security. This study becomes imperative due to the protraction of many violent conflicts, insurgencies and terrorist activities in the country. The study was shown that radical, extremist leaders depend greatly on the use of the poor masses in threatening national security in Nigeria.