BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has faulted the poor implementation of whistle-blower protection policy and the passage of related Bills that would bolster whistle-blowing activities, as well as anti-corruption efforts especially in Nigeria's Defence and Security sector.
To this end, the organisation lamented that lack of institutionalised strategy to protect information secrecy of whistle-blowers reporting corruption cases, coupled with inadequate modern technology to facilitate gathering of accurate information within the sector discourages whistle-blowing activities.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of a two-day Steering Committee Meeting on Anti-corruption (financial management, gender and operational disparities) in the defence and security sector.
It was jointly signed by the Executive Director of CISLAC/Transparency International in Nigeria (TI-Nigeria), Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani); Ms Jessica A. Okereke of Civic Engagement Network and a representative of Intiative for Women’s Rights and Social Justice, Linda Chinonso in Enugu on Friday.
Musa informed that weak legislative oversight by the National Assembly on the Executive arm paves way for unsanctioned internal/external military operations and interventions that undermine due process.
He disclosed that intrinsic logistics challenges and poor remuneration with resultant low morale among response personnel constitute major impediment to operational efficiency.
"Delayed transparency and accountability of the Security Votes implementation at sub-national levels remains a major challenge to the promotion and realisation of human security in Nigeria, considering the recent growing attacks and killings in various part of Nigeria.
"Sustainable internal security is backpedalled by endless kidnapping, banditry, insurgency, farmers-headers clashes, communal conflicts.
"Overlapping of intra-agency functions among various units aggravate disunity in operations and coordination within defence and security sector with resultant threats to internal security," he added.
The project titled: "Protecting Human Security by Tackling the Vicious Cycle of Corruption", was held at Enugu from April 24 to April 25, 2025. It attracted participants by Civil Society Organisations (CSO), gender-based network, ministries, security agencies and media.
It was organised by CISLAC/TI-Nigeria in collaboration with Transparency International – Defence and Security Program– with support from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.
The meeting was aimed at strengthening the capacity of the members to advocate and conduct state and national engagements towards an accountable, responsive, and efficient management of the Nigeria defence and security sector.
Musa noted that investment in commercial activities across the country is a major mismatch backpedaling the sector’s transparency and operational efficiency.
He pointed out that unchecked violation of fundamental human rights and dignity breeds continuous corrupt practices that weaken defence and security structure, operations and services.
The CISLAC/TI-Nigeria boss said: "Despite various anti-corruption reform efforts initiated by successive administrations with specific focus on system audit, payrolls synchronisation, budgetary and operational reviews, endemic corruption in defence and security sector persists with consequential threats to human rights and security.
"Absence of audit of operations across defence and security commercial ventures hampers quality control and assurance, transparency and accountability of incomes and expenditures.
"Gender disparity and under-representation of women and persons living with disabilities in defence and security recruitment, appointment, promotion process widens the gap in achieving inclusive operation in the sector.
"Corruption and nepotism coupled with vested interests that dominate defence/security recruitment and selection process hamper efficiency in civilian oversight activities."
The CISLAC/TI-Nigeria boss harped on renewed advocacy towards the passage of comprehensive Whistleblowing Protection Bills and transition into legislation that would promote and protect whistle-blowing activities.
On next step, he suggested strengthening civil society and media engagements towards gender-mainstreaming in defence and security sector to demonstrate respect for inclusion, social justice and democratic control.
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