STATE CAPTURE, CORRUPTION, AND THE UNDERMINING OF SECURITY INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

State capture has emerged as a significant threat to governance and national security in Nigeria because it weakens the effectiveness and autonomy of security institutions. State capture entails the erosion of security agencies' capabilities through policy, regulation, and resource allocation as the political and economic elites try to increase their influence. The current research uses the qualitative documentary research design supported by institutionalist theory to examine the implications of state capture in the Nigerian security sector. The data analysis involved government documents, international organisations, anti-corruption institutions, and scholarly materials. The results show that the process of state capture takes place through the patronage appointment process, procurement fraud, resource misallocation, lack of accountability, and low morale of employees. The recommendations include institutional changes involving recruitment based on merit, security sector reform, anti-corruption reform, and accountability reform. The research highlights the structure and norms underlying the weakening of the security sector through state capture.