Mandatory Military Service in Nigeria: A Panacea for National Security and Youth Empowerment
By MS Abubakar, Ph.D
The correlation between national security and mandatory military service is a well-established paradigm in international relations. Countries like Finland, Norway, South Korea, Israel, and Switzerland have leveraged mandatory military service as a potent tool for fostering national cohesion, defense readiness, and socio-economic development. These nations, despite their unique contexts, have harnessed the benefits of mandatory military service to bolster their security architectures and promote civic engagement.
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In Africa, the narrative is more nuanced. While some countries, like Eritrea, have implemented mandatory military service, the effectiveness of such programs has been questionable. Nigeria, on the other hand, has a mandatory national service program, but it is limited to graduates of universities and holders of Higher National Diplomas, and is not designed to address the country’s pressing security challenges.
Nigeria’s security landscape is characterized by a plethora of threats, including insurgency, banditry, and terrorism. The numerical strength of the Nigerian military, approximately 300,000 personnel, is woefully inadequate to address these challenges, particularly in the face of violent extremist groups wielding sophisticated weaponry and technology. The recent surge in banditry and terrorism in northern Nigeria, exemplified by the activities of groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), underscores the need for a more robust and inclusive approach to national security.
One of the most compelling arguments for mandatory military service in Nigeria is the country’s poor response to crisis time ratio. Time and again, communities and villages have been attacked, and cries for help have been sent to the military or police, only to be met with delayed responses. This has led to devastating consequences, including loss of life, property, and livelihoods. By training and empowering the entire youth population, Nigeria can create a defense-ready citizenry that can respond swiftly and effectively in times of crisis, bridging the gap in response times and mitigating the impact of attacks.
Mandatory military service offers a multifaceted solution to Nigeria’s security conundrum. By engaging youths in military training and service, the country can:
1. Enhance Defense Readiness*l: Mandatory military service can equip Nigerian youths with the skills and competencies necessary for self-defense, surveillance, and emergency response. This can be achieved through a comprehensive training program that includes both theoretical and practical components, focusing on areas such as combat skills, first aid, and crisis management.
2. Foster National Cohesion: Military service can serve as a crucible for national integration, promoting unity and a sense of shared citizenship among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic and linguistic groups. By bringing together youths from different backgrounds, mandatory military service can help break down socio-cultural barriers and foster a sense of national identity.
3. Address Insecurity: A defense-ready population can serve as a potent deterrent against external aggression and internal threats, complementing the efforts of the military and law enforcement agencies. This can be achieved through the establishment of a robust reserve force, comprising trained and equipped citizens who can be called upon to support the military in times of crisis.
4. Promote Socio-Economic Development: Mandatory military service can provide Nigerian youths with valuable skills, including leadership, teamwork, and technical expertise, which can be leveraged for national development. This can be achieved through partnerships with private sector organizations and vocational training institutions, providing youths with opportunities for skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development.
5. Reduce Unemployment: Mandatory military service can provide a solution to the pressing issue of youth unemployment in Nigeria. By engaging youths in military service, the government can provide them with a stipend, training, and skills development opportunities, enhancing their employability and economic prospects.
The success of mandatory military service in countries like South Korea and Israel is instructive. These nations have leveraged military service to promote national resilience and defense readiness in the face of existential threats. In Nigeria, the introduction of mandatory military service can be tailored to address the country’s unique security challenges and socio-economic needs.
These countries have different reasons why they adopt mandatory military service. Some is because of hostile neighbors, for example, South Korea and Finland. Others like Israel is because of perceived or real threat from extremists and terrorists. For Nations like Switzerland, it is get their citizens defense ready, and make them know that security is a collective responsibility.
I think it is high time Nigeria considers the idea of mandatory military service simply because of the myriads of security challenges confronting Nigeria, weak numerical strength of our military ( roughly about 300,000), but especially the emergence of a vicious and blood thirsty barbarians in the northern region of Nigeria. These barbarians cum bandits wield automatic assault weapons and drones to attack our police and armed forces, terrorize innocent and law abiding citizens who trusted the government to protect them from this bandits, and weaken the Nigerian state by challenging its claim to monopoly of violence. Just last week, I heard discussions with an international organization working in Katsina who said that they are afraid for the security of their expatriate Staff because there are only 14 police men in the entire local government with no adequate weapons, logistics and modern technology to prevent or stop violent crimes.
Tell me what country will continue to allow it’s law abiding citizens to be killed by a tiny but violent section who have tested blood, violence and the benefits associated with it. After seeing how the Youths of Azare stood up and resisted Boko Haram terrorists, and the avoidance of Azare town by Boko Haram fighters since that day, I am convinced that it is high time for Nigerian Youths to undergo mandatory military service for the purpose of self defense, preparedness, patriotism and National development. The ordinary Nigerian doesn’t know what to do if an IED is donated, how to react when abducted or when terrorists and bandits surround his village, how to conduct surveillance, or how to swim, drive or use basic combat skills to escape from captivity. These and many other skills and competencies can be learn during mandatory military service.
I have tremendous respect for our military but I think it is hightime we introduce mandatory military service to compliment their efforts. In any case the military is making use of poorly trained youths of the joint task force and vigilante in places like Borno, Zamfara and Katsina state. There is no basically no way a military of about 280,000 be able to secure a population of about 230 million in a very large country that has so many porous borders. Countries like Pakistan, Egypt and Algeria have higher number of troops than Nigeria even though their threat level is not upto Nigeria.
While good governance still remains the ultimate key to tackling insecurity, I make bold to say that the bandits and terrorists destabilizing Nigeria today won’t abandon their course because of good governance because they have tested blood,power and easy money. What can take care of them and put them in check is a strong military backed by a defense ready population. This is the best deterrence. Good governance can help to mitigate the root causes and in a longterm bring the whole enchilada to an end but it won’t make Bello Turji or Abu Khalid and Bashuwa to stop challenging the Nigerian states to it’s claim to monopoly of violence. As it is now, it is neither poverty or ignorance that is fuelling the insecurity in the northern parts of Nigeria but a disregard for the government, contempt for the Life of the ordinary Nigerians by the perpetrators, and the monetary benefits. There is no how these terrorists and bandits can abandon the lucrative venture of illegal gold mining, kidnap for ransom, and extortion, and resume to cattle rairing and farming.
It is against this backdrop and many other reasons that I am advocating for mandatory military service to be incorporated as part of our national security and Defense strategy.
To implement mandatory military service in Nigeria, the government can establish a National Service Corps, responsible for coordinating the program and providing training and support to participants. The program can be designed to accommodate both male and female youths, with provisions for exemptions and alternative service for those who are unable to participate.
Critics may argue that mandatory military service is a costly and logistically challenging endeavor. However, the benefits of such a program far outweigh the costs. By investing in the training and development of Nigerian youths, the country can create a more secure, cohesive, and prosperous future.
Nigeria’s slow response to crisis situations is a major concern. Communities and villages are often left vulnerable to attacks, and the delayed response from authorities can be devastating. Implementing mandatory military service could be a solution, empowering youths with skills and discipline to respond swiftly in emergencies. We can still remember how the Azare youths stood up against Boko Haram terrorists when the latter tried to attack Azare town; they didn’t sit idle and wait for the military or police to come and save them but organized themselves and challenged the terrorists. Till today, Boko Haram terrorists are avoiding Azare town. I have tremendous respect for our military which is the number best military in Africa but our best defense against terrorists, insurgents and bandits is a defense-ready youth population who know what is at stake and what ought to be done to protect their livelihoods and families.
However, it’s essential to consider the potential challenges and limitations, such as resource constraints and policy gaps. The Nigerian government has denied plans for compulsory military training, emphasizing a focus on professional volunteer armed forces and civic national service .
In conclusion, mandatory military service is a necessary component of Nigeria’s national security and development strategy. By engaging youths in military training and service, the country can address its pressing security challenges, promote national cohesion, and foster socio-economic development. It is imperative that policymakers and stakeholders consider the introduction of mandatory military service as a panacea for Nigeria’s security conundrum and a catalyst for national transformation.
Recommendations
1. Establish a National Service Corps: The government should establish a National Service Corps responsible for coordinating the mandatory military service program.
2. Develop a Comprehensive Training Program: The training program should include both theoretical and practical components, focusing on areas such as combat skills, first aid, and crisis management.
3. *Provide Opportunities for Skills Acquisition: The government should provide opportunities for skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development for participants.
4. Establish a Robust Reserve Force: The government should establish a robust reserve force, comprising trained and equipped citizens who can be called upon to support the military in times of crisis.
5. Promote National Cohesion: The government should promote national cohesion by bringing together youths from different backgrounds and fostering a sense of shared citizenship.
By implementing these recommendations, Nigeria can harness the benefits of mandatory military service and create a more secure, cohesive, and prosperous future for its citizens.
Dr. MS Abubakar is a Security expert, military historian and mediapreneur. He is the Publisher of OurNigeria News.