Paper for Issue

Military Spouses and the Challenge of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in 1 Division of Nigerian Army Kaduna State: 2013-2023

Abstract

This paper titled "Military spouses and the Challenge of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in 1 Division of Nigerian Army Kaduna State: 2013-2023," investigates the diverse experiences of military wives grappling with their partners' Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The study addresses a significant gap in research concerning the struggles of military spouses in the Nigerian context. It examines the relationship between military wives and PTSD, identifies prevalent factors contributing to PTSD diagnoses among Nigerian Army personnel of 1 Division Kaduna State from 2013 to 2023, ascertains the roles wives play in managing the condition, and explores the challenges they face. Ultimately, it aims to develop strategies for addressing PTSD and other identified challenges among military spouses. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study utilized both descriptive statistics from survey questionnaire and medical records, and thematic analysis of qualitative data from in-depth interviews and Focus Group Discussions. Data collection involved distributing 392 questionnaires, with 327 used for analysis, and conducting 15 Key Informant Interviews and 5 sessions of Focus Group Discussions with 10 participants in various locations within the 1 Division Nigerian Army Kaduna jurisdictions, and with the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) in Abuja. Ethical considerations, including informed consent, confidentiality, and voluntary participation, were prioritized. The findings reveal that military wives are profoundly affected by their spouses' PTSD, experiencing emotional distress, anxiety, and a reduced quality of life. These women often serve as primary caregivers but receive little to no institutional support, leading to silent suffering. The study highlights a significant lack of structured mental health support within the Nigerian military system for families. Coping mechanisms are largely informal, offering temporary relief but failing to address core psychological needs. The thesis concludes that military wives are indispensable yet unacknowledged frontline emotional caregivers. It underscores the urgent need for the Nigerian military to implement structured, culturally-sensitive programs that recognize and support the critical role of spouses, equipping them with necessary tools to navigate the complexities of living with a partner with PTSD, and ultimately improving mental health outcomes and marital resilience within military communities.

The Political Objectives of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended) and the Tinubu Administration

Abstract

This paper examines Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution as a national policy document and evaluates the performance of the Tinubu Administration (2023–2025) in implementing its Section 15 on Political Objectives. The Constitution, as the supreme legal and political framework, outlines the guiding principles for governance, national unity, and social justice. The study conceptualizes the Constitution as both a contractual and co-ordinational instrument binding public officials to its provisions while shaping institutional relationships. Drawing comparative insights from the constitutional experiences of the United States, Ethiopia, and other federal systems, the paper situates Nigeria’s constitutional evolution within its colonial and postcolonial context, tracing the recurring challenges of implementation across successive regimes. Using qualitative analysis, the paper assesses the Tinubu Administration’s adherence to the constitutional motto of “Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress,” and its compliance with subsections on national integration and the duties of government in promoting unity, mobility, residence rights, inter-marriage, and inclusive associations. Findings reveal that while the administration has made rhetorical and partial policy efforts toward unity such as infrastructure expansion, digital connectivity, and interfaith engagement, its performance is constrained by insecurity, economic hardship, perceived ethno-regional bias, and limited institutional reforms. Initiatives promoting inclusive governance and grassroots development remain largely symbolic rather than structural. The paper concludes that the Tinubu Administration’s implementation of Section 15 is moderate but insufficient, with an overall performance rating of 40%. It recommends that the administration move beyond declaratory support to concrete institutional, legal, and socio-economic measures that advance genuine national integration and constitutional fidelity ahead of the 2027 elections.

Disaster Management and Human Security: A Study of Kadsema and the Management of Flood Disasters in Kaduna State, 2015-2023

Abstract

Flood disasters remain one of the most pervasive and destructive natural hazards globally, posing significant threats to lives, livelihoods, and national stability. In Nigeria, recurrent floods particularly in Kaduna State have intensified in frequency and impact due to a combination of natural and human-induced factors, including climate change, poor urban planning, and weak institutional capacity. This study examines the role of the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA) in managing flood disasters and enhancing human security within Kaduna North, Kaduna South, and Igabi Local Government Areas. Anchored on the Structural Functionalism theory, the research analyzes how institutional functions, coordination mechanisms, and resource capacities influence disaster preparedness, response, and recovery in the state. Adopting a survey research design, the study utilized questionnaires, interviews, and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. Findings reveal that while KADSEMA has made progress in public sensitization, collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and limited use of early warning systems, its overall effectiveness remains constrained by poor funding, bureaucratic delays, weak inter-agency coordination, and inadequate community engagement. These institutional challenges have undermined timely response efforts and heightened the vulnerability of flood-affected populations, thereby threatening multiple dimensions of human security economic, food, health, and environmental. The study underscores that effective flood disaster management is inseparable from human security, as both aim to safeguard life, dignity, and livelihoods. It argues for a paradigm shift from reactive relief interventions to proactive, community-centered disaster risk reduction approaches. Recommendations include strengthening KADSEMA’s autonomy and funding, improving data management and early warning dissemination, integrating gender-sensitive policies, and enhancing synergy between government, communities, and development partners. Ultimately, building institutional resilience and embedding human security principles within disaster governance are vital for sustainable flood management and national stability in Nigeria. Keywords: Flood Disaster Management, Human Security, KADSEMA, Kaduna State, Structural Functionalism, Disaster Governance, Resilience.

Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Enhanced Maritime Security in Nigeria

Abstract

This study explores the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance maritime security in Nigeria, a nation facing persistent threats such as piracy, oil theft, and illegal fishing. Despite global advancements in AI-driven maritime surveillance, Nigeria lags in adoption due to infrastructural, regulatory, and institutional limitations. The research employs a qualitative, exploratory approach using secondary data from academic, governmental, and industry sources. Thematic analysis revealed that while AI offers tools for predictive analytics, anomaly detection, and autonomous patrol systems, Nigeria’s fragmented data architecture and low digital readiness hinder implementation. Comparative analysis with global case studies highlights the uniqueness of Nigeria’s context and the need for localized solutions. The study recommends phased AI adoption, public-private partnerships, capacity building, and regulatory reform to support integration. Findings contribute to the discourse on intelligent maritime governance and propose a framework adaptable to other developing maritime states.

Education as a Driver of National Development in Nigeria: Rethinking Human Capital and Policy Implementation

Abstract

Education remains a cornerstone of national development, serving as the foundation for human capital formation, innovation, and sustainable growth. In Nigeria, however, despite numerous education policies and reforms, the sector continues to face systemic challenges that hinder its contribution to national development. This study critically examines education as a driver of national development in Nigeria, with a focus on rethinking human capital development and policy implementation. The key research problem lies in the persistent gap between educational policy formulation and practical implementation, which has led to poor learning outcomes, skill mismatches, and limited economic productivity. Guided by the Human Capital Theory and the Modernisation Theory, the study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining secondary data analysis from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), UNICEF and UNESCO reports with qualitative insights from policy documents and stakeholder discussions. Findings reveal that inadequate funding, policy inconsistency, poor governance, and weak monitoring frameworks remain major barriers to effective education-driven development. The study argues that Nigeria’s education system must be repositioned through evidence-based reforms, improved teacher capacity, and alignment with labour market demands. The paper concludes by proposing the strengthening of institutional mechanisms for policy implementation, enhanced public-private partnerships, and digital innovation in learning as crucial steps toward transforming education into a powerful driver of national development. Keywords: Education, Human Capital, Policy Implementation, National Development, Nigeria, Governance.

When Technology Turns Violent: Rethinking Human Security for Women in Nigeria

Abstract

Human security shifts the focus of protection from the state to the safety, dignity, and well-being of individuals. In Nigeria, the rapid expansion of internet access and digital platforms has enabled new opportunities for communication, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement. However, it has also created new forms of insecurity, particularly for women. Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) has emerged as a pervasive threat that undermines women’s freedom from fear, freedom from want, and the right to live in dignity. This study examines the intersection between human security and TFGBV in Nigeria, identifying how digital violence, such as cyberstalking, online harassment, non-consensual image circulation, deepfake manipulation, financial scams, and coordinated online defamation, translates into real-world harm. The study employs a qualitative methodology, relying on secondary data sources including academic literature, media reports, legal documents, and civil society publications, analyzed using content analysis. Findings show that TFGBV reinforces gender inequality, restricts women’s digital participation, fuels psychological and economic harm, and discourages women from engaging in public and political life. Case examples involving Nigerian women such as Kiki Mordi, Aisha Yesufu, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, and Dorothy Njemanze illustrate how online violence is both gendered and targeted. The study concludes that effective responses require legal reform, digital literacy education, enforcement of online safety policies, and cultural change to challenge misogynistic norms. The study contributes to knowledge by framing TFGBV as a human security challenge rather than merely a cybercrime issue, emphasizing the need for inclusive, safe, and equitable digital citizenship. Keywords: Human Security; Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence; Digital Rights; Women; Nigeria; Online Safety; Gender Inequality

Between Policy Rhetoric and Rural Realities: A Critical Political Economy Examination of Agricultural Reforms in Nigeria

Abstract

Agriculture remains central to Nigeria’s economy, yet decades of reforms have failed to substantially improve rural livelihoods. This paper critically examines the persistent gap between the rhetoric of agricultural policy and the lived realities of rural populations. Successive Nigerian administrations, influenced by global neoliberal frameworks, have introduced reforms such as Operation Feed the Nation, the Green Revolution Initiative, the Structural Adjustment Programme, Fadama Projects, and the Agricultural Transformation Agenda. These initiatives, while rhetorically promoting food security, rural empowerment, and modernization, often neglect structural issues like land insecurity, poor infrastructure, limited access to credit, and institutional weakness. This study uses a political economy lens to investigate the flaws in agricultural changes in Nigeria, exposing a major gap between policy rhetoric and the daily life of rural farmers. It draws attention to five main problems: lack of market access, dependency on import subsidies, inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, and insufficient support for small-scale farmers. Every one of these elements helps to marginalize rural farmers and so compromises the success of initiatives meant to change the agricultural economy. To close this gap, attention should switch to resolving underlying power dynamics, guaranteeing sustainable funding, maximizing subsidy schemes, improving market access, and assisting smallholder farmers via targeted policies and infrastructural initiatives. Successful agricultural transformation and inclusive rural development in Nigeria depends on a cooperative approach including several interested parties.

Military Operations and Human Rights Violation in Borno State, Nigeria: An Assessment of Operation Lafiya Dole, 2015-2023

Abstract

The persistent insurgency in Borno State, Nigeria, has necessitated extensive military operations, notably Operation Lafiya Dole (2015–2023), aimed at restoring security and countering Boko Haram activities. However, these operations have been frequently associated with allegations of human rights violations, raising concerns about the balance between security imperatives and civilian protection. This study investigates the relationship between military operations and human rights practices in Borno State, with the objective of assessing the extent, patterns, and underlying causes of violations during Operation Lafiya Dole. Employing a qualitative research methodology, the study relies on secondary sources, content analysis, and primary data collected through structured questionnaires (n=300), three Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and twenty Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) involving military personnel, civil society actors, and community leaders. Findings indicate a significant correlation between military operations and human rights violations, with 62% of respondents affirming that security operations often resulted in arbitrary arrests, excessive use of force, and breaches of civilian rights. Qualitative insights reveal that operational pressures, intelligence gaps, and inadequate accountability mechanisms contribute to systemic human rights concerns, while secondary data from Amnesty International (2020) and the UN OHCHR (2022) corroborate these patterns. The study concludes that while Operation Lafiya Dole achieved tactical successes against insurgents, the human cost underscores the need for reforms in military training, oversight, and community engagement. Recommendations include strengthening human rights compliance, integrating ethical frameworks into counter-insurgency strategies, and fostering civil–military cooperation. This research contributes to knowledge by providing an empirically grounded analysis of the interplay between military operations and human rights, highlighting the necessity of aligning security initiatives with international humanitarian standards. Keywords: Military operations, human rights violations, Operation Lafiya Dole, counter-insurgency, Borno State, civil–military relations, Nigeria