Corruption Has Undermined Nigeria's War Against Boko Haram

Bloomberg: Nigeria Military Spending Undermined by Graft, Crisis Group Says

* Military spending averaged $1.7 billion between 2011 and 2014
* Nigeria faces militant attacks in northeast and oil-rich delta

While Nigeria increased spending on the military to an average of $1.7 billion a year from 2011 to 2014 in response to the Boko Haram insurgency, “system-wide” corruption meant it didn’t become a better fighting force, the International Crisis Group said.

“Dubious procurement practices, fraudulently bloated payrolls, poor financial management and weak auditing systems at the national security adviser’s office, the defense ministry and armed services headquarters often mean funds are diverted to private or non-military purposes,” the Brussels-based group said in a report released on Monday. “Inadequate funding, corrupt procurement and poor maintenance result in serious equipment and logistics deficits.”

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WNU Editor: The Nigerian government is fighting back .... Nigeria seizes billions in looted cash and assets (Al Jazeera), but this is just the tip of Nigeria's problems .... How Corruption And Oil Crime Are Tearing Nigeria Apart (OilPrice.com).

Nigeria: Sliding Toward The Abyss?

From Strategy Page:

June 3, 2008: The government is not making much progress in shutting down the tribal rebels, particularly MEND, in the Niger Delta. Stealing oil and kidnapping foreign oil workers for ransom has become too lucrative for too many people for the police and military to cope. About a quarter of the nation's oil production has been halted by the unrest. A newly president, who promised to crack down on corruption and ineffective government, is showing signs of tolerating the same old bad habits.

Additional News From Other Sources:
Nigeria: Oil and Gas Operations Fragile - Shell -- All Africa.com
Corruption blamed for Nigeria's failure sluggish development -- China View
Oil Brings Revenue, Problems to Africa -- Voice Of America

My Comment: A culture of corruption and lawlessness was already present before the discovery of oil in Nigeria .... or for that matter the entire continent of Africa. Until this culture changes, there is no hope for justice and sustainable development to occur in Africa.