Professor of Public Finance at the Department of Economics, Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, John Aiyedogbon has called for increased funding of the military in the face of growing insecurity in the country.
The don however urged the Federal Government to monitor the spending to ensure openness and accountability in military budgeting and procurement procedures.
Aiyedogbon said that increase in defence spending would not translate to a reduction in terrorism activities if corruption was not checked.
He also urged the government to ensure that competent and experienced Security Chiefs free of nepotism and hedonistic behaviour are given command of the armed forces.
Aiyedogbon identified unbearable poverty and unemployment as drivers of insecurity in the country.
He stated these while delivering the 5th inaugural lecture of Bingham University, Karu Nasarawa State titled: “Defence expenditure and insecurity in Nigeria: Implications for macroeconomic indicators.”
According to him, the welfare of the citizens should be ranked first among the responsibility of the government and also the allocation of the military should be increased to have relevant security.
Aiyedogbon said: “Excessive military expenditure without corresponding outcomes amounts to a waste of limited resources. To prevent such massive waste and achieve stable security in Nigeria, there must be openness and accountability in military budgeting and procurement procedures, with military competence and capability having precedence.
“The Federal Government should as a matter of urgency follow up proceedings leading to the procurement of military hard – wares across the several military formations.”
The professor of public finance also urged the federal government to mop – up all illicit firearms circulating in the country.
According to Prof Aiyedogbon, the proliferation of illicit arms in Nigeria had been one of the reasons the war against insurgency, bandits, and other terrorist groups has been difficult to win.
He added: “The Federal Government should mop – up illicit arms circulating in the country. The proliferation of illicit arms in Nigeria had been one of the many reasons the war against insurgency, bandits, and other terrorist groups has been difficult to win.
“It has become obvious that unless the country mops up illicit arms circulating in its territory, citizens’ hope of sleeping with their eyes firmly closed might be elusive.”
He noted that insecurity had led to the trend of macroeconomic indicators such as inflation rate, exchange rate, and interest rate which had a negative impact on the economy.
He said all sectors had been affected by insecurity except Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and called on the government to take drastic steps that would lead the country out of these trends.
Prof Aiyedogbon, therefore, called for good government and leadership with a complete commitment to the country’s welfare and security, saying that both the citizens, governments at all levels, and international communities had diverse roles to play.