By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
As the world marks the 2025 United Nations International Anti-Corruption Day, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International Nigeria (TI-Nigeria) have warned that entrenched corruption remains a major driver of Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
In a statement issued on Thursday, CISLAC/TI-Nigeria Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, lamented that despite massive government investments in defence and internal security, corruption continues to undermine national safety and expose citizens to persistent violence.
Rafsanjani said Nigeria’s prolonged battles with terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, militancy, communal clashes and organised criminal networks have been exacerbated by deep-rooted corruption that weakens every level of the security architecture. He noted that defence procurement, personnel recruitment, welfare administration, intelligence sharing and operational command have all been compromised through inflated contracts, questionable procurement processes and diversion of funds meant for equipment and frontline operations.
He further expressed concern that welfare-related corruption has left many security operatives poorly motivated, while families of officers who die in active service often go without official entitlements, eroding trust and morale within the system.
CISLAC called for urgent and comprehensive security sector reforms. It urged the Federal Government, the National Assembly, security agencies and anti-corruption bodies to prioritise transparency and accountability in the management of defence and security funds. The organisation stressed the need for an independent defence procurement audit to curb contract inflation, ghost projects and misuse of public resources. It also emphasised the importance of stronger legislative oversight of security budgets and expenditure, strict disciplinary action against officers involved in corrupt practices, as well as improved welfare, insurance support and adequate equipment for frontline personnel.
Rafsanjani added that better intelligence sharing, enhanced inter-agency cooperation and the protection of whistle-blowers are also essential to improving the integrity of the security sector.
CISLAC/TI-Nigeria maintained that Nigeria cannot overcome its security challenges without decisively confronting corruption within defence and security institutions. The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to working with government, parliament, security agencies and citizens to champion reforms that will enhance accountability, strengthen national security and rebuild public trust.
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