Governance and Human Security: How can Nigeria Go Beyond the Rhetoric?

The paper analyzes health – related and poverty issues as critical components of governance and human security in Nigeria. There have been studies in these areas, but there are still gaps in view of the increasing poverty levels coupled with the recurrence of common ailments such as malaria and several that are connected to poor hygiene and sanitary conditions. Other identifiable diseases include Ebola, Lassa Fever, and the Corona Virus Disease (Covid-19), the latter with global devastating effects from December 2019. Data is drawn from secondary materials for the conceptual and theoretical sections of the paper. This is complemented by primary data from events analyses and content analyses of reports, including the United Nations (UN) Human Development Index (HDI), Legatum Prosperity Index, Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG), and the Transparency International (TI) Corruption Perception Index (CPI), for 2010-2018. The paper’s analytic frame draws strength from a combination of the institutional approach and the state fragility perspective. The main finding in the paper is located in the ineffectiveness and poor governance arising from the lack of autonomy of the institutions responsible for health services and poverty reduction in Nigeria and, in particular, the pursuit of vested and private interests by public officials. Recommendations are made in line with examples of best practices deployed for illustration in the