Professionalism and Civil-Military Relations: A Case Study of the Nigerian Armed Forces
Year: 2020
Type: dissertation
Abstract: This study examined the relationship between military professionalism and \ncivil-military relations in Nigeria. Focusing on the period between 1960 and \n2007, it explored the connection between understandings of professionalism \namongst members of the armed forces and the way they relate to the rest of \nNigerian society. \nProlonged military rule (1966-1999) and the military’s heavy involvement in \ndomestic security, resulted in increased militarization of Nigerian society and \nplaced considerable strain on civil-military relations. The conduct of Nigerian \nmilitary personnel in their dealings with civilians and their representatives \nfaced criticism by members of the Nigerian civil society and the international \ncommunity for being exploitative, heavy-handed and inconsistent with \nexpected standards of military professionalism. Yet, during this period the \nmilitary also increased its international profile, and came to be regarded, \nespecially in the area of international peacekeeping, as a significant force \nwithin its region and beyond. \nGreater accountability and stricter adherence to professional standards were \npart of the democracy dividends expected by Nigerians when successful \nelections were held in 1999. Yet, two decades later, the relationship between the military sphere and the civilian sphere has been fractious and \nconflictual. \nThis thesis considers that efforts to promote military professionalism need to \nengage with apparent and evidential understandings of military \nprofessionalism held amongst military personnel themselves. On this basis, \nthe study has sought to introduce military voices into the discourse on \nmilitary professionalism. \nThe study adopted a mixed methods approach incorporating both qualitative \nand quantitative methods in gathering perspectives held by members of the \nNigerian military and the civil population about military professionalism. It \nfound that the military’s self-image, in terms of its professionalism and values, \nis markedly at odds with the way it is perceived by the civilian population \nmany of whom see it as a highly politicised, unethical and coercive institution. \nFurther, that the military identity is deeply complicated by pluralism, religious \nand ethnic diversity in Nigeria with specific consequences for its \nprofessionalism.
Author: Openiyi, Adebiyi
Language: English
Topic: Military and Defense Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7051947639