NIGERIA MILITARY STRATEGY AND AFRO-CENTERED POLICY: A REFLECTION OF WEST AFRICA

Abstract

This paper examines the degree to which military spending, both on monetary and human terms have affected the development of Nigeria. The main aim of the paper dwells on balancing the two inevitable edges confronting national development, i.e., aspiring leadership position through Afro-centered policy of Nigeria and the need to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerian citizens, on one hand. On the other hand, the paper attempts to improve Nigeria military strategy during peacekeeping so as to reduce human cost of it. The descriptive approach was adopted in discussing the dynamics of challenges confronting Nigeria in her quest for leadership position in Africa through spending on military peacekeeping operations in West Africa. It was discovered that while Nigeria appears beautiful for military and financialsupportto African States,with Liberia and Sierra Leone as clear examples, nationals at home are plunged into regrettable suffering of diverse form. The paper attempts to balance up the Afro-centered policy and domestic needs by proffering useful recommendations.