Nnadiebube Journal of Philosophy

Abstract The purpose of this paper is on how to build sustainable peace in Nigeria using the concepts of existentialism and human security. Multiple security challenges have befell Nigeria in the last two decades and they are not yet completely abated. Numerous security problems confronting the country include; Boko- haram, banditry, herder/ farmer clash, kidnapping, ritual killings, ethnic conflicts, and religious conflict. Nigeria is in dire need of sustainable peace and security and there is no contending the fact that security is a prerequisite for sustainable peace. The Federal government and the sub- nationals have continued to spend millions of dollars every year on security but mostly on physical security. Thousands of lives have been lost which includes civilians and security personnel, yet insecurity persists. The scenario painted above has not only affected the state of peace in the country, but has also reduced the quality of human existence making it a subject for philosophy of human existence also known as existentialism. Hence, the paper establishes a nexus between philosophy of human existence and the problem of insecurity in Nigeria. However, the thesis of the work is that Nigeria will achieve more in surmounting her security challenges and also attain sustainable peace if she can focus and invest more in human security without leaving physical security unattended to. The paper adopts an eclectic approach of analytical and descriptive research design.

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