AKU: An African Journal of Contemporary Research

The primary aim of this study is to examine the persistent contentious issues in Nigeria that are linked to the country's national security. The article contends that security threats have evolved into an extremely difficult challenge that has persistently disrupted the Nigerian State System. This research employs the national state thesis as its theoretical foundation to clarify the nature of national security narratives in relation to the Nigerian state. This article constitutes an exploratory research investigation. It draws extensively from the existing works of scholars and researchers within the broader field of national security studies. The article utilizes secondary data collection methods as its source of materials for the investigation. The article finds that Nigerian security issues are complex, spanning both horizontal and vertical dimensions, where both the government and the majority of the Nigerian populace bear significant responsibility. The work therefore recommends that addressing the menace of national security demands multi-faceted strategies, requiring both political will from the government and appropriate orientation from citizens to reduce the scourge of security threats in the Nigerian state in the 21st century and beyond.

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