From National to Collective Security: Understanding the Evolution of Small Arms Control in Nigeria
Based on:
Journal Article (2025)
This paper interrogates the historical evolution of small arms control in Nigeria and the nexus between national control efforts and sub-regional control mechanisms anchored by collective security within the ECOWAS system. The challenges embedded in creating institutional structures for effective control remain prominent as a defective factor in the entire process. “The study shows how weak state structures for small arms control in Nigeria have been a contributory factor to the greater involvement of international and regional organizations, NGOs and civil society organizations in the implementation of small arms control processes.
Brief by:
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The evolution of collective security globally was a function of conflict resolution. It emerged as a form of strategic deterrence in the wake of the First World War. The devastating nature of the War posed an existential crisis of sorts to humanity. This compelled an evolutionary thinking in the concerted efforts at preventing another colossal crisis of this nature.
Key findings
Institutional Instability: Nigeria’s national coordinating body (NCPTAW/NATCOM) faced bureaucratic shuffling, underfunding, and rivalry between agencies (e.g., NATFORCE vs. NCCSALW), delaying effective institutionalization for over a decade.Symptom vs. Cause: Control efforts often target weapons (supply) but neglect the root causes of demand: economic hardship, inequality, poor governance, and the "resource-conflict" nexus.
Evidence
Flawed Programs: Disarmament initiatives (Niger Delta amnesty, Operation Safe Corridor) often lacked proper weapon tracking, reintegration, and addressed combatants without securing weapons.
What it means
This means DDR was flawed and will keep the problem persistent
Proposed action
The nexus between national and regional security is the joint domestication and enforcement of control measures across borders, tackling both supply and demand. Future prospects depend on moving beyond mere weapons control to integrated political and social reforms that reduce the initial demand for arms.
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From National to Collective Security: Understanding the Evolution of Small Arms Control in Nigeria
Cite this brief: Fyanka, Bernard. 'From National to Collective Security: Understanding the Evolution of Small Arms Control in Nigeria'. Acume. https://www.acume.org/r/from-national-to-collective-security-understanding-the-evolution-of-small-arms-control-in-nigeria/
Brief created by: Professor Bernard Fyanka | Year brief made: 2026
Original research:
- Fyanka, B., (2025) ‘From National to Collective Security: Understanding the Evolution of Small Arms Control in Nigeria’ Volume 18 Issue 2, pp. 168–193 https://doi.org/10.1080/19392206.2025.2479314. – https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19392206.2025.2479314
Research brief:
This paper interrogates the historical evolution of small arms control in Nigeria and the nexus between national control efforts and sub-regional control mechanisms anchored by collective security within the ECOWAS system. The challenges embedded in creating institutional structures for effective control remain prominent as a defective factor in the entire process. “The study shows how…
The evolution of collective security globally was a function of conflict resolution. It emerged as a form of strategic deterrence in the wake of the First World War. The devastating nature of the War posed an existential crisis of sorts to humanity. This compelled an evolutionary thinking in the concerted efforts at preventing another colossal crisis of this nature.
Findings:
Institutional Instability: Nigeria’s national coordinating body (NCPTAW/NATCOM) faced bureaucratic shuffling, underfunding, and rivalry between agencies (e.g., NATFORCE vs. NCCSALW), delaying effective institutionalization for over a decade.
Symptom vs. Cause: Control efforts often target weapons (supply) but neglect the root causes of demand: economic hardship, inequality, poor governance, and the “resource-conflict” nexus.
Flawed Programs: Disarmament initiatives (Niger Delta amnesty, Operation Safe Corridor) often lacked proper weapon tracking, reintegration, and addressed combatants without securing weapons.
This means DDR was flawed and will keep the problem persistent
Advice:
The nexus between national and regional security is the joint domestication and enforcement of control measures across borders, tackling both supply and demand. Future prospects depend on moving beyond mere weapons control to integrated political and social reforms that reduce the initial demand for arms.