Mass Poverty and Declining Human Security in Nigeria A Critical Perspective

Abstract

Nigeria just like many other sub-saharan African countries is neck deep in poverty. This phenomenon is reflected in declining income per capital, increasing problems of hunger, unemployment, starvation, frustration and domestic violence. This study therefore explores the nexus between poverty and human security question in Nigeria. It argues that the country’s decades of poor economic policy has been reinforced in part by oil resource curse, corruption and bad governance. Data for the study were generated from secondary sources while content analysis was employed in the analysis of data. Adopting the relative deprivation theory as its theoretical framework of analysis, the study reveals that widespread poverty in Nigeria has compounded the human security question and thus predisposes the populace to such acts as armed banditry, violent resource contestations, insurgency, hired assassinations, militancy and armed robbery. The study therefore recommends that the way out of the vicious cycle lies in a genuine implementation of pro-poor and people-centered poverty alleviation programme as well as overall good governance.