THE OVERBEARING INFLUENCE OF NON-STATE ACTORS IN THE NIGERIAN SOCIO-POLITICAL SPACE AND ITS EFFECTS ON NATIONAL SECURITY

Abstract

This work examines the negative impact of non-state actors in Nigeria. As a sovereign nation Nigeria ought to be under the firm control a legally constituted government, but this is apparently not the case as the government appears helpless in the face of daunting challenges orchestrated by the overbearing influence of both civil and uncivil non-state actors (NSAs). This unfortunate situation poses a grave security challenge on the country's corporate existence. This work employing the expository, critical and historical methods examines the negative effects of the overbearing influence of NSAs on Nigeria's security. The work critically appraises the negative effects of NSAs on the Nigerian socio-political and economic life as well as on the overall security of the country. In conclusion the work calls for strict governmental control of NSAs and the provision of good governance where equity, justice and the promotion of common good is basic.

Headnote

Abstract: This work examines the negative impact of non-state actors in Nigeria. As a sovereign nation Nigeria ought to be under the firm control a legally constituted government, but this is apparently not the case as the government appears helpless in the face of daunting challenges orchestrated by the overbearing influence of both civil and uncivil non-state actors (NSAs). This unfortunate situation poses a grave security challenge on the country's corporate existence. This work employing the expository, critical and historical methods examines the negative effects of the overbearing influence of NSAs on Nigeria's security. The work critically appraises the negative effects of NSAs on the Nigerian socio-political and economic life as well as on the overall security of the country. In conclusion the work calls for strict governmental control of NSAs and the provision of good governance where equity, justice and the promotion of common good is basic.

Keywords: Non-state actors, Nigeria, National security, Violent non-state actors, NLC, ASUU, IPOB, Bandits.

Introduction

Nigeria, which is called the giant of Africa, constituted of more than 250 ethnic nationalities and with a population of over 200 million1 is currently struggling to liberate its soul from many contending forces both civil and uncivil. Owing to the conglomeration of these powerful forces and their overbearing pressure on the government, the government appears to be in a weaker position when bargaining for the implementation of its official policies and programs.

The marks of a civil society consist of the presence of a legally constituted authority, laws and law enforcement. Without this the society relapses into Thomas Hobbes' 'state of nature' where everyman is an authority unto himself with the satisfaction of his own whims and caprices at the fore. In such a situation Hobbes' picture of life becoming 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short'2 becomes a reality as a result of the unimaginable insecurity consequent upon the emergence of a lawless society. It was to forestall such an unhealthy situation that Thomas Hobbes provided an intellectual justification for the absolute power of the sovereign premised on his assertion that the evils of absolute power is preferable to the evils of life in a lawless society without such authority. To avoid such a situation Hobbes advocated for an absolute sovereign and the abolition of all contending powers. The absolutism of Hobbes' Leviathan rejects pluralism, localism and sectionalism. He sees social groups such as leagues, guilds, universities, the church, associations, etc., as breeding grounds of dissension and conflict in a unitary state. He compares associations within the state as 'many lesser commonwealths in the bowels of a greater' and as 'worms in the entrails of a natural тап.'з

In Nigeria these Hobbes' 'many lesser commonwealths in the bowl of a greater', these 'worms in the entrails of a natural man' are struggling with the government for the soul of the country. These contending forces that constitute government within government are what this work refers to as non-state actors (NSAs). Very influential non-state actors abound in Nigeria, civil and uncivil, armed and unarmed, national and local. Some of these non-state actors are so powerful that they dictate the state of affairs within their social, economic and political space and in some instances they command greater respect among the citizens than the legally constituted government in their areas of control.

Among the powerful civil and non-violent non-state actors in Nigeria are: the NEC, TUC, ASUU, NARD, NUPENG, IPMAN, NURTW, Ohaneze, Arewa and Afenifere socio-cultural groups, etc. The powerful uncivil and violent non-state actors in Nigeria include: the Boko Haram terrorist group, the ISWAP, the Fulani Militia, the IPOB, the Niger Delta Militants, different secret cult groups, unauthorized local vigilantes, area boys, unauthorized violent revenue collectors in cities and villages, etc. These different non-state actors exert a lot of influence in the Nigerian sociopolitical space and their activities in different ways ferment insecurity.

This work examines the effects of the overbearing influence of these NSAs on Nigeria's security. Employing the expository, critical and analytic methods as well as textual, conceptual and historical analysis the work examines the activities of these NSAs in the Nigerian social, political and economic life.

Non-State Actors: An Overview

Generally speaking non state actors (NSAs) consist of profit and nonprofit organizations, corporations, groups and individuals who, though not affiliated to, funded or directed by government, exercise great influence in the policy affairs of the government. Among these NSAs are: Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), labour unions, socio-cultural organizations, corporations, banks, business tycoons, lobby groups, Human Rights groups, peoples' liberation movements, religious groups, aid agencies and violent non-state actors (VNSAs) such as paramilitary groups, armed resistance groups and terrorist groups.

Non state actors (NSAs) fundamentally are collaborative agents who assist in facilitating the achievement of national and international development goals. They may assist in opinion building, advocacy, program implementation, building and maintaining of peace, environmental protection, driving economic growth, etc. According to Oparah et al, 'the process of building an efficient and effective service oriented developed state requires the participation of both the government and NSAs'4. While not overlooking the significant role of NSAs in nation building, contemporary political philosophers highlight their overbearing influence which in most cases undermines the authority of the government consequently posing security challenges and giving the impression of power vacuum. This other side of the NSAs portrays them as lesser governments within government and as opposition groups.

Theoretical Framework

This work is premised on Thomas Hobbes' political theory which recommends a powerful, centralized state authority and the exclusion of lesser authorities. In his social contract theory Hobbes provided an intellectual justification for absolute power and indeed all civil authority as well as the ground for obedience to such authorities. Hobbes preferred the evils of an absolute power to the evils of life in a chaotic society without such authority. He advocated for an absolute sovereign and a subjugation of all other competing allegiances. The absolutism of Hobbes' Leviathan rejects pluralism, localism and sectionalism. He sees social groups such as leagues, guilds, universities, the church, and associations as breeding grounds of dissension and conflict in a unitary state. He compares association within the state as 'many lesser commonwealths in the bowels of a greater' and as 'worms in the entrails of a natural man/5

In Hobbes political theory Non-State Actors (NSAs) are unacceptable and are to be subjugated by the absolute sovereign. This work, while not subscribing to Hobbes' absolutism, highlights the dangers of the overbearing influence of non-state actors in the Nigerian socio-political space, a danger envisaged by Hobbes in his political theory. For Hobbes, NSAs weaken the authority and sovereignty of the government and have the tendency of plunging the country into a state of anarchy.

Active Non-State Actors (NSAs) in Nigeria

Nigeria is replete with non-violent and violent non-state actors which include corporations, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), NonGovernmental Organizations (NGOs), labour unions, socio-cultural organizations, business magnates, financial institutions, armed resistant groups, terrorist outfits, liberation movements, etc. In Nigeria some of these non-state actors have the capacity of undermining government authority and of controlling some social, political and economic spaces.

Civil and Non-Violent Non-State Actors in Nigeria

Prominent among the many civil and non-violent non-state actors in Nigeria are: the Bankers Union (an umbrella of commercial banks and other financial institutions in Nigeria), the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other University based unions, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA),the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (CMAN), etc.

Apart from the above NSAs, we also have the socio-cultural organizations, the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the professional associations, etc. Among the Socio-cultural organizations are the Afenifere (a Yoruba socio-cultural group), the Arewa Consultative Forum ACF (a socio-cultural group of all Northern Nigerians), the Ohaneze Ndi Igbo (an Igbo socio-cultural group), the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), etc. These socio-cultural groups have recently become very political and exert great political influence within their geographical space.

Among the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) include the professional associations (such as NBA, the Nigerian Bar Association), Foundations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Social Movements, Human Rights Organizations and Faith Based Organizations. These CSOs, as Abati avers, 'are a positive force for change and progress in society, oftentimes helping to bridge the gaps of alienation between government and the people'. They also contribute in fighting 'injustice, man's inhumanity to man, environmental abuses, global health challenges, gender discrimination and the evolution of a rules-based international system.'6

Violent Non-State Actors (VNSAs) in Nigeria

There also abound in Nigeria a host of violent non-state actors (VNSAs) who are seen in several places taking the laws into their hands. These VNSAs take illegal charge of some geographical spaces where they extort innocent citizens, command some political authority and brutally deal with citizens who challenge or disobey their orders. Prominent among these VNSAs in Nigeria include terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, the Fulani Militia, killer herdsmen and armed bandits; the liberation movements, freedom fighters and separatists movements such as the Niger Delta Militants, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Eastern Security Network (ESN) and the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC); the 'unknown gunmen'('which has recently become a popular catchphrase in Nigeria's insecurity imbroglio')7, unauthorized local vigilantes, the cultists, etc. In Nigeria many of these violent non-state actors (VNSAs) wield enormous power over some geographical space where they dictate what takes place within the environment.

The Disturbing Activities of some Non-State Actors in Nigeria

Ordinarily non-state actors should be collaborators with the civil government in working for the common good of the people through advocacy, enlightenment, opinion building, program implementation, building and maintaining of peace as well driving of economic growth, but unfortunately in Nigeria while this may be partially true, non-state actors have become more belligerent and combative than complimentary and collaborative. Some of their activities have become cogs in the wheel of progress of government programs and policies, thus disrupting government activities rather than enhancing them. Many of them have gone beyond being pressure groups and collaborative agents to being direct opponents of government. This work examines the activities of some of these non-state actors in various spheres of the country's life.

The Influence of Non-State Actors in the Nigerian Social and Political Space.

The Nigerian social and political space is populated by the visible presence and activities of NSAs who in most cases point the direction and also control socio-political life. Very prominent among them are the sociocultural and political organizations such as the Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo, the Afenifere, the Arewa Consultative Forum, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), etc. The socio-political life of an average Nigerian is also highly influenced by faith based organizations and religious bodies such as Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Islamic Movements, etc. Other influential Non-State Actors in the Nigerian socio-political space are the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs). These organizations are very widespread and visible across the country and are ordinarily designed to interact and collaborate with the government in capacity building and development as well as advocacy. It must be truly observed that on the average these organizations do a lot of good works but a close scrutiny of the activities of some of them raises eyebrows and leaves a lot to be desired.

Apart from the thirty-six state structure, Nigeria is also constituted of six geopolitical zones, the South-East, South-West, South-South, NorthCentral, North-East and North-West. The various ethnic nationalities and languages of Nigeria are scattered across these geo-political zones and states8. The Nigerian socio-cultural and political groups constitute the umbrella housing the various ethnic nationalities in the Nigerian political scene. They are mostly constituted along the geo-political alignment. They are the mouthpiece of the ethnic groups on national issues. They defend the interest of the various ethnic nationalities and advocate for their proper representation and inclusion both in decision making and in the dispensation of the common good. In recent times their voices appear to be louder than that of the government in their various geographical spaces. They have recently become very controversial, confrontational and domineering when commenting on national issues. Their biased dissenting voices on national issues with threats of secession or of making the country ungovernable as well as the constant mobilization of their constituents to civil disobedience poses great danger to the corporate existence of Nigeria and its national security. There have been several threats at different times from the various Nigerian socio-cultural and political groups for secession especially when they find themselves in a disadvantaged situation.

While the plenary session of the 2014 National Conference was ongoing, the Afenifere Pan Yoruba organization demanded that regional autonomy be granted the Yorubas in the Southwest or they will secede from Nigeria. At a news conference in Lagos at the time with the Logo 'Regional Autonomy or Nothing', the Afenifere among other things demanded 'a parliamentary form of government at the center and the right to self determination on and up to the right to secede ... Fiscal Federalism and Resource Control.'9

There are also instances of these socio-cultural and political groups threatening other ethnic groups as well as the corporate existence of Nigeria. For instance, on June 7th 2017 the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (ACYF), a coalition of socio-political groups in northern Nigeria issued a three month ultimatum for all Igbos in the 19 Northern states to vacate the region, threatening to evict them by force if they fail to leave by October 1, 2017. They boasted that no authority will stop them.10 In the same vein the Ohaneze Ndi Igbo had always threatened secession because of injustices suffered by the region. Recently the group threatened legal action against the federal government for shortchanging the South East in the appointment of ministers.11 The PANDEF also has on several occasions threatened to shut down all oil exploration in the Niger Delta region from where over 80% of Nigeria's oil is drilled. This threat, they claimed is because of the neglect of the region which is the cash cow of the country.

That these socio-cultural and political organizations threaten the federal government and the Nigerian citizens without any dire consequence shows the level of power they wield as NSAs in Nigeria. These bodies appear untouchable and uncontrollable when they threaten any action, knowing any action against their leaders will be seen as a declaration of war on their region by the federal government which will consequently be a threat to national unity, security and peace.

The Nigerian social and political space is also highly controlled by the overbearing influence of faith based organizations and religious bodies such as CAN, NSCIA, CBCN, MURIC, PFN, etc. These bodies are always quick to draw religious sentiments on virtually every national issue. In Nigeria politics, ethnicity and religion has become so interwoven that it appears very difficult to separate them. Politicians easily recruit ever willing ethnic and religious bigots to scrutinize every national discussion along these sentiments. As Iwuagwu rightly observed,

The Nigerian state is replete with divisive ethno-religious sentiments. Consequently when major socio-political issues are discussed, they are vigorously debated along ethnic, religious and regional lines with little objectivity. This sharply biased disposition creates a very delicate balance of the Nigerian state because of the multiple centrifugal forces pulling it apart along the lines of ethnoreligious interest. These competing unhealthy rivalry leads to crises and instability in the Nigerian polity.12

Hence this very strong outpouring of religious sentiments on national issues is what has come to embolden the faith based NSAs to be overbearing in commanding national followership and swaying national opinions in Nigeria. In this case the average Nigerian is most likely to obey and follow his ethnic and religious leaders rather than the political leaders.

Apart from the socio-cultural and political organizations and the religious bodies, the CLOs, the NGOs, and the Labor Unions in Nigeria are great influencers of public opinions on national issues. They have recently become confrontational, coercive and overbearing rather than collaborative and complimentary with the government in the execution of its policies and programs. Some of them, in creating distrust in the people with regard to government programs and activities, incite the populace against the government thereby instigating civil disobedience which frustrates government plans thereby retarding progress.

The Influence of Non State Actors in Nigeria's Educational System

Education constitutes one of the bedrocks of every progressive country because it is one of the vital indices used in rating the quality of life and development of every country. As Iwuagwu asserts, 'education is the bedrock of every progressive society. To disrupt the education system of any society as a result of insecurity is a very great disservice to its progress and development. Hence a high level of literacy in any nation upgrades the quality of life of its citizens, enhances its economic growth and promotes its peace and security, whereas a high level of illiteracy downgrades a country's quality of life, its economic growth, its health care system as well as its peace and security. Education is therefore the anchor point of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As the United Nations report rightly says, 'Education is the key that will allow many other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved. When people are able to get quality education they can break from the circle of poverty.'1

In Nigeria the government's little and inadequate efforts in promoting quality education with the support of the private sector and some nonprofit oriented agencies has in many instances being thwarted by some NSAs. These non-state actors include the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Allied Institutions (NASU), etc. These NSAs, rather than the government, seemingly dictate the pace of the educational activities in Nigeria. Their overwhelming influence in this sector determine the smooth or disordered academic calendar in Nigeria. The incessant industrial actions by these bodies, mostly been justified on the grounds of government underfunding of the educational sector as well as the very poor remuneration of staff, causes a lot of disruption of academic activities in the school calendar of Nigeria. It is on record that at the national level between March 23rd, 2020 and December 23rd, 2020 ASUU shut down all government owned universities in Nigeria.1 The same union together with its sister union NASU paralyzed the academic calendar of government owned universities for another eight months when it declared an indefinite strike between February 14th and 14th October 2022.16 The Polytechnics and other tertiary institutions in Nigeria are not left out of this disruption of academic calendar. Within a period of five years the ASUP went on strike on five occasions.1?

At the national level ASUU has embarked on 16 industrial actions in a space of 23 years between 1999 and 2022.18 Within this 23 years of 16 national strikes by ASUU, Nigerian students at government owned universities lost a cumulative four academic sessions.The above account does not include the numerous internal strikes by these same unions in particular institutions across the country.

These incessant disruptions of academic programs and disengagement of students leaves them prey to all kinds of social ills. Since the idle mind is the devil's workshop, these idle youths become security threats as they seek to explore their energy by engaging themselves. As Tolu-Kolawole lamented 'Nigeria is sitting on a time bomb if ASUU strike is allowed to linger as there are connections between rising criminality and out-ofschool students.'20 The out-of-school students are easily recruited by criminal gangs, terrorist outfits, bandits and promoters of social ills. Iwuagwu affirms this when he said that,

Massive unemployment, poverty, youth restiveness and all forms of criminalities are catalysts of ethno-religious conflicts and crises. An idle mind, it is said is the devil's workshop. Idle youths are easily recruited by political elites to instigate ethnic and religious violence for their own selfish purpose. The pauperized population is also easy prey to recruitment by religious extremists, ethnic bigots and freedom fighters such as Boko Haram, Maitatsine, Fulani Militia, ISWAP, the Niger Delta Militants and the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB.21

The Influence of Non-State Actors on the Nigerian Economy

The Nigerian economic space is populated by myriads of non-violent non-state actors with overbearing influence on the economy. These influential NSAs include: the Multinational Companies, business magnates, the bankers union, the labour unions such as the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), the Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (CMAN), the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS), Market Traders Association of Nigeria (MATAN) Market Women Associations, etc.

Among the Multinational Companies are those engaged in the oil upstream and downstream sector such as Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Chevron Oil and Gas , Mobil Oil and Gas and Total Oil and Gas; those engaged in the telecommunication business such as MTN, Airtel, Glo, gMobile and Multichoice Nigeria; those in cement business such as Lafarge Group and Dangote Groups; those in the pharmaceutical business such as GlaxoSmithKline and those engaged in the food and beverages business such as Coca-cola, Unilever, Cadbury, Nestle and PZ Cussons.

That these Multinational Companies dictate the growth and stability of the Nigerian economy is very well known to an average Nigerian. A force majeure declared by any of the Oil and Gas companies sends shivers across the country as that will cause crises in Nigeria's revenue inflow. It is often alleged that some of these companies have become uncontrollable that they explore the country's oil without proper records to the extent that the actual quantity of barrels explored and exported are unknown. Many of them have been accused of collaborating with oil thieves in stealing the country's oil. Recently the Nigerian Navy came out with this damaging allegation of these companies conniving with syndicates in the crude oil theft ring in the Niger Delta region.22 The Multinational companies in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria are also known for their flagrant violation of the laws of the land with regard to environmental degradation, host community development, tax remittance and other contents of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021. They operate with an air of indispensability in their open disregard of the regulations in the industry. These overbearing attitudes in most cases cause disaffection in the host communities who feel shortchanged by the exploitative attitude of these Multinational Companies. The consequences of this are violent agitations from the oil producing regions which in turn affect national security as well as the economic progress of the country.

In the same vein the Multinational Companies in the telecommunication industry appear uncontrollable and have silenced the regulatory agencies in this sector such as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) to the extent that they not only have poor service delivery but also continuously increase the cost of their products and services without regard to the existing regulations.

Other Multinational Companies in other sectors in Nigeria and some business magnates are not exempted from this overbearing attitude in their operations which constitute a threat to national security. The incessant increase of cement prices as well as company induced scarcity of products in this sector and other manufacturing sectors appears to be the norm in Nigeria, leaving the government and the people helpless.

The labor unions appear to be among the most vibrant NSAs that dictate the economic growth rate of any nation. To enhance production, which is indispensable for economic growth, labor is vital. Stressing the importance of labor in productivity Iwuagwu did acknowledge that though Africa is blessed with abundant human and natural resources its productive capacity is below average in world ranking because of inadequate human capital development, poor infrastructure, unmotivated workforce and insufficient capital base.23 This implies that a vibrant labor force is the engine room of every economic growth while an inefficient labor force is the doom of economic growth.

It will be an understatement to say that, because of the very poor welfare scheme and unconducive enabling environment for the Nigerian workers, the labor unions have become a torn in the flesh of the government economic policies and programs. Just as the government has the authority to shut down all activities in the country through its pronouncements, some of these labor unions have the capacity to shut down economic and social activities in Nigeria through their collaborations. When the NEC and TUC and all their affiliates declare industrial action in Nigeria all government offices and schools are closed down, all financial institution, airports and railway stations are shut down. When the unions in the petroleum industry such as NUPENG, IPMAN and PENGASSAN down tools, the distribution and sales of petroleum products such as PMS or petrol, diesel, liquefied gas, kerosene, etc., are stopped and economic activities, transportation and power generation industries and homes are heavily affected. When the NURTW and the Market Unions such as NANTS, MATAN and Market Women Associations Join industrial actions in Nigeria, motor parks and markets are closed down and the people groan as the government watches helplessly. The capacity of these labor unions to bring the country to a social and economic standstill underscores their overbearing influence and their capacity as NSAs to undermine national peace and security.

Recently in Nigeria nineteen unions joined the NEC and TUC in paralyzing the social and economic space of the country to protest the government's failure to address issues pertaining the workers minimum wage, insecurity, etc.24

The Overbearing Influence of Non-State Actors in the Nigerian Health Sector

The Nigerian health sector is not spared from the overbearing influence of civil and non-violent non-state actors. Owing to the poor remuneration of the Nigerian health workers by the government, the Nigerian health sector is incessantly plagued by industrial action by the various unions in this sector. Prominent among these unions are the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) etc. These recurrent strikes cause significant disruption in healthcare delivery which in turn leads to avoidable loss of lives, damage to healthcare system, decline in the quality of services, increased health-related complications and loss of experienced health professionals to other countries where remuneration is better.25 According to a Dataphyte research, since the year 2000 the Nigerian health workers were on strike for 319 days. This mostly occurred between 2015 and 2023, which witnessed 164 days of strike. Of these strikes NARD protested more, accumulating 232 days of the 319. It is on record that the longest of such strike by JOHESU lasted for 44 days, between April 17 and May 31st 2018.26 Since this strike was total and comprehensive as well as nationwide involving federal, state and local government owned hospitals and all health workers, it crippled the entire nation's public health services.

The Overbearing Influence of Uncivil and Violent Non-State Actors in Nigeria

When Nigeria is being described as a failed state it is because of the many ungoverned spaces in the country. The ever-growing security challenges beclouding Nigeria is consequent upon the occupation of these multiple ungoverned spaces by various forms of uncivil and violent nonstate actors. These uncivil or Violent Non-State Actors (VNSAs) according to Adekoye may be non-sovereign entities that exercise significant political power and territorial control or which are outside the control of a sovereign government or groups that often employ violence in pursuit of their objectives.27 Some of these VNSAs in Nigeria include: the area boys, cultists, unauthorized vigilantes, bandits, Fulani Militia, Boko Haram, Eastern Security Network (ESN), the 'Unknown Gunmen', the Niger Delta Militants, Odua People's Congress (OPC) and all sorts of illegal violent revenue collectors on the Nigerian roads, towns and villages. All these uncivil and violent outfits have the capacity to hurt anyone at any time when one is within their jurisdiction. Some of them have the capacity to challenge and engage the Nigerian security forces. Some have carved out areas of jurisdiction where they give orders to the inhabitants and collect taxes and tolls. In whichever form these VNSAs operate in Nigeria, 'they present a common challenge to national security that may affect not only the immediate society but the world at large.28

It is on record that every part of Nigeria has been occupied by violent non-state actors (VNSAs). In the Northeast Boko Haram and ISWAP hold sway for many years where they have sacked villages and towns, killed, maimed, raped and abducted thousands of the population. In these areas under the control of Boko Haram all social and economic activities have been paralyzed and the inhabitants of these areas are settled in camps for Internally Displaced People (IDP camps). In the Northwest and North Central, the Fulani Militia and bandits are terrorizing the citizens burning down villages, killing, maiming, raping, preventing farmers from going to farm, kidnapping for ransom as well disrupting educational activities through mass abduction of school children. In the Southeast the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and the Unknown Gunmen are in charge and dictate social and economic activities. The Sit-At-Home declared by IPOB which direct all the inhabitants of this area to shut down all markets, schools, banks, transport vehicular businesses, and all social and economic activities every Monday and on some special days is religiously adhered to. Those who disobey this order may not be alive to tell their story. The previously peaceful Southeast now bleeds as a result of violence perpetuated by these VNSAs. In the first five months of 2021 about 254 people were killed in 63 violent incidents and more than four trillion Nigerian Naira were lost between 2021 and 2022 as a result of insecurity and sit-at-home protests in this zone.29 In the Southwest and South-south Nigeria many forests have been occupied by armed bandits who kidnap for ransom, these zones have also been plagued by cultists, ritualists, illegal oil bunkerers, illegal vigilantes, area boys and unauthorized toll collectors who at will obstruct vehicular movement extorting money from road users.

In November 2022 alone at least 275 people were killed and 285 others abducted by non-state actors across Nigeria according to a survey released by the Nigeria Security Tracker (NST)3°. Reliable information from the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and National Security Tracker (NST) analyzed by TheCable Index, holds that 4,545 people were killed by VNSAs while 4,611 others were kidnapped in 2022. Further analysis by TheCable Index revealed that an average of 12 people were killed, 13 people kidnapped daily in violent attacks reported in the media from January to December 2022.31

The greatest threat to national security in Nigeria comes from the VNSAs who have carved out a niche for themselves as running a parallel administration with the Nigerian government. The overbearing influence of VNSAs in Nigeria has caused irreparable loss of lives and property, disruption of social and economic life as well as untold discomfort to innocent citizens.

Many factors contribute to emergence of these Violent Non-State Actors (VNSAs) in Nigeria. These include: injustice, marginalization, exploitation, poor governance, unemployment, religious extremism, landgrabbing and ethnic expansionist agenda. With regard to marginalization and injustice, the emergence of many ethnic militia, separatist groups and freedom fighters such IPOB, Niger Delta Militants and ESN can be traced to this. As Iwuagwu observed many Nigerian citizens are treated as aliens and second-class citizens in their own country, з2 Also to be blamed is the failure of the government to recognize and employ 'the freedom, creativity and industry of individuals and lesser social entities for the accomplishment of the common good' in the spirit of subsidiarity in the oil producing Niger Delta especially in the areas of exploration and refining of crude oil.33 Also fueling the increasing militancy and agitation for secession in the Southern part of Nigeria is the constitutional unjust inclusion of many catalysts of socio-economic development in the exclusive list where only the federal government have right to perform. Such items in the exclusive list include electricity, railway construction, federal road construction, oil exploration, mining, army, police, immigration, import and export, etc. This presumed injustice is seen by many agitators as a move to retard the development of a section of the country while giving undue advantage to the North thereby frustrating the principle of subsidiarity which is a 'potent drive of economic development.1 The resurgence and radicalization of some liberation and separatist movements such as IPOB, OPC and Niger Delta Militants can also be traced to the progressive deployment of brute force against their activities.35 The above factors and many others promote the emergence of violent non-state actors in various parts of the country.

The Overbearing Influence of Nigerian Non-State Actors and Its Effects on National Security

The primary purpose of government is the protection of life and property. A situation where the multiple non-state actors appear to have wrestled power out of the government's hands in many areas of a country's social, political and economic life is a harbinger to a state of anarchy which is totally detrimental to national security. The sad thing about the Nigerian situation is that numerous non-state actors have constituted themselves governments in government and are causing serious security breaches resulting to untold humanitarian crises. The tenacity with which the VNSAs operate unchallenged and the sophistication of the weapons some of them operate with puts to question governmental control of its territories and the regulation of the use of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs) in the country. The overbearing influence of VNSAs has had adverse effects on food security in Nigeria because farmers could no longer go to farm in many areas as many farmers are killed, raped, abducted from their farms or meant to forfeit or part with a substantial part of their harvests. As a result of this, Nigeria is currently facing food crisis. The activities of VNSAs have also scared away investors in the various sectors of the economy.

The VNSAs are truly making life unbearable for Nigerian citizens who no longer feel safe in their homes, in the farms and business premises, on the roads, on the railways and on the seas because of the activities of bandits, kidnappers, pirates, terrorists, unknown gunmen, area boys, cultists, illegal toll collectors, etc. The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in a recent communique captures this mood of the country occasioned by the unprecedented activities of VNSAs. It said,

Insecurity has attained yet a higher scale than we had ever seen before in the land. Insurgents, armed herdsmen, bandits and the socalled unknown gunmen have continued to unleash terror in different parts of the country. Kidnapping for ransom has reached homes and areas where in the past it was thought impossible. The result is that many have fled their homes, abandoned their farms, shops, businesses and other sources of livelihood. The number of internally displaced persons in our country is ever growings6

The incessant strikes by the various civil NSAs in the various areas of the country's socio-political and economic life has disrupted the social life in these areas and has fermented security challenges. The strikes by the university based unions such ASUU, NASU, etc., by throwing the youths on the streets makes them prey for recruitment by VNSAs who threaten national security. The disruptive activities of the non-state actors (NSAs) in the health sector also pose adverse effect on the country health security. Sometimes the avoidable loss of lives during the NMA, NARD and JOHESU strikes, outnumbers the lives claimed by kidnappers, bandits and other VNSAs for the same period.

The overbearing influence of the socio-cultural and political groups as well as that of the religious bodies is also a threat to national security. The constant inciting pronouncements and threats by these bodies, which in most cases are divisive, constitute a serious threat to national security. Also posing a threat to national security is the economic sabotage promoted by the multinational companies, the business magnates, oil and gas workers and marketers, the telecommunication industries, the cement manufacturers, the transportation workers, etc. These NSAs by their unwholesome activities cause hardships thereby threatening national security and peace.

Finally, the overbearing activities of the labour unions, the NGOs and civil liberty organizations CSG pose a serious threat to national security. Though these unions and organizations undeniably play vital roles to the socio-political and economic development of the country, they also sometimes constitute a cog in the wheel of progress. The constantly reoccurring industrial actions and protests by these labour unions and organizations which in recent times are being infiltrated and hijacked by thugs, area boys and cultists poses threat to national security. One can therefore assert that the uncontrollable influence of both civil and violent non-state actors in Nigeria constitutes a serious threat to national security in various ways and spheres.

Conclusion

The primary purpose of every legitimate government is to secure lives and property. When a government fails in this regard its legitimacy becomes questionable. Thomas Hobbes who foresaw the imminent overbearing influence of non-state actors (NSAs) proposed absolute power for the sovereign (government) and the subjugation and destruction of all other contending powers to achieve peace and security in the state. 37 According to Hobbes the power of the sovereign must be absolute for him to be able to suppress all contending forces and be able the secure the conditions of order, peace and law. Hobbes did say, 'Covenants without the Sword, are but Words, and of no strength to secure a man at all.'s8 This work, though not subscribing to Hobbes absolutism, seem to agree with Hobbes that when non-state actors are left unchecked or are allowed to possess undue powers, they can pose a serious threat to national security. Legitimate NSAs can be very vital collaborative agents of the government when they operate within their legitimate boundaries, but when they try to constitute an uncontrollable government within a government, when they run a parallel administration inimical to the advancement of the government policies and programs, when they consistently challenge the authority of the government, they threaten the sovereignty of the country and become threats to national security. Illegitimate and violent non-state actors (VNSAs) that take up arms against the government and its citizens have no place in a civil society irrespective of how noble their cause may be. There are many legitimate and conventional ways of fighting for one's rights which must be exhaustively explored.

This work, though condemns the overbearing influence of all NSAs which ferments insecurity in Nigeria, also identified what causes the emboldening of these NSAs to challenge the legitimate government authority. These include: the failure of government in providing the common good, corruption, injustice, marginalization, denial of rights, unemployment, ideological radicalization, highhanded suppression of legitimate agitations, proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALWs), weakness of government and government insincerity. The work concludes that for government to check the excesses of non-state actors, it must be efficient in discharging its responsibilities to its citizens, be accountable to the citizens on how their resources are managed and effectively protect their lives and property. The government should also lead by example in all spheres of public life so as not to bring to question its legitimacy which is often challenged by the NS As. A government that has legitimacy and integrity will always have the political will and audacity to curtail the excesses of non-state actors with the support of the citizens. The works submits therefore that the overbearing influence of both violent and civil NSAs constitutes a serious threat to national security and must be curtailed by the government.

Footnote

1 E.K. Iwuagwu, 'Nigeria's Ethno-Religious Crises and its Socio-Political and Economic Underdevelopment', Cogito, vol. 14, no.i, 2022, p. 117.

2 T. Hobbes, Leviathan, London, Penguin, 1985, p. 186.

3 T. Hobbes, op. cit., p. 375.

4 F.C. Oparah et al, 'the Role of Non-State Actors in Strengthening the Developmental Capacity of the State: A Case Study of Cross River State, Nigeria', Business and Economic Research, vol.io, no.2, 2020, p. 154.

5 T. Hobbes, op. cit.

6 R. Abati, 'CSOs, NGOs and Their Discontents', thisdaylive.com, 21 Sept, 2021.

7 T.S. Akinyetun et al, 'Unknown Gunmen and Insecurity in Nigeria: Dancing on the Brink of State Fragility', Security and Defence Quarterly, vol. 42, no.2, 2023, p. 18.

8 E.K. Iwuagwu, 'John Stuart Mill's Utilitarianism: A Panacea to Nigeria's SocioPolitical Quagmire,' Cogito - Multidisciplinary Research Journal, vol. 13, no. 4, 2021, p.70.

9 PM NEWS, 'Afenifere Threatens Secession', 19th May,2014, pmnewsnigeria.com

10 Premium Times, 'Arewa Groups asks Igbos to Leave Northern Nigeria, Threaten Violence,' June 7, 2017 premiumtimesng.com

11 Champions Newspaper, 'Appointment of Ministers: Ohaneze Ndigbo threatens to sue EG over Injustice Against South East', 25th October, 2023, https://championnews.com.ng

12 E.K. Iwuagwu, op. cit., pp. 115-116.

13 E.K. Iwuagwu, op. cit., p. 128.

14 United Nations, 'Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023, Goal 4: Quality Education'

15 This day Newspaper, 30th December, 2020. 'Year of ASUU Strike, Schools Closure, New Normal'.

16 Peoples Gazette Newspaper, 14th October, 2022. 'ASUU Calls of Strike after Eight Months.'

17 D. Tolu-Kolawole, 'ASUP on Strike for 147 Days Under Buhari', Punch Newspaper, igthMay, 2022.

18 D. Tolu-Kolawole, 'ASUU Embarks on 16 Strikes in 23 Years, EG, Lecturers Disagree Over 13-year MOU', The Punch Newspaper 16th May, 2022

19 Leadership Newspaper, Tn 23Years: Students Lose Cumulative 4 Years To 16 ASUU Stakes', December, 2022

20 D. Tolu-Kolawole, op. cit.

21 E.K. Iwuagwu, op. cit., p. 125

22 Daily Trust Newspaper, 'Navy Fingers IOCs in Multi-Billion Dollars Crude Oil Theft Ring', 11th October 2022.

23 E.K. Iwuagwu et al, 'Employing John Stuart Mill's Utilitarian Philosophy of Economics as a Catalyst to Africa's Social and Economic Development', Cogito - Multidisciplinary Research Journal, vol. 14, no. 3, p. 20.

24 The Punch Newspaper, 'Full List: 19 Unions Shut Workspaces, Join NLC Nationwide Strike', 14th November, 2023.

25 Leadership Newspaper, 'Ending Recurring doctor's Strike,' August, 2023, www.leadership.ng

26 Dataphyte. 'Health Workers' Strike Longest Under Buhari-led Government,' 17th May, 2023. www.dataphyte.com

27 A. Adekoye, 'Are Armed Non-State Actors Taking Control,' Vanguard News, July 29, 2022.

28 D.C. Ndidigwe et al, 'The State and the Emergence of Non-State Actors in Nigeria'. International Journal of Management, Social Sciences, Peace and Conflict Studies, V0I.4, no.4, 2021, p. 55.

29 Businessday Newspaper, 'South-East Bleeds N4trn in 2 years over insecurity, Sitat-home protests', 13th December, 2022.

30 Premium Times Nigeria, 'Northern Nigeria leads as 275 Killed by Non-state Actors,' 12th December,2022 premiumtimesng.com

31 TheCable, Non-state Actors Killed 4,545 people, kidnapped 4,611 in 2022, January 18, 2023, 9:10 am, www.thecable.ng

32 E.K. Iwuagwu, 'The Concept of Citizenship: Its Application and Denial in the Contemporary Nigerian Society', International Journal of Research in Arts and Social Sciences, vol.8, no.i, 2015, pp.171-174.

33 E.K. Iwuagwu, 'The Socio-Ethical Principle of Subsidiarity: A philosophical Appraisal of Its Relevance in the Contemporary World', Research in Humanities and Social Sciences, vol.6, No.12, 2016, p.182.

34 E.K. Iwuagwu, 'Employing the Principles of Subsidiarity and Participation as Veritable Catalysts for Africa's Socio-Political and Economic Development', International Journal of Research in Arts and Social Sciences. V0I.9, no.i, 2016, pp.144-148.

35 C. Nwangwu, 'Neo-Biafra Separatist Agitation, State Repression and Insecurity in South-East, Nigeria', Society, vol. 60, 2023, p.43

36 CBCN, Communique after First Plenary Meeting 2024, no.4

37 T. Hobbes, op. cit., p. 377.

38 T. Hobbes, op. cit., p. 223.

References

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