1. BAZE UNIVERSITY ABUJA
Post Graduate School
IRD/IGS 825 23A - NATIONAL INTEREST AND NATIONAL
SECURITY
Department of International Relations and Diplomacy
Lecturer: Dr. Tanko Mahmood Ahmed, fwc
Week 5 - Tuesday, 14 February 2023 [Online]
Core Issues and Current Events in National Interest and
National Security

2. Background
• All national policies, strategies and
programmes are grounded on national interests
tied to social, political, economic, and
humanitarian processes.
• We seek to understand ‘national interest’ in
general,with specific relationship with ‘national
security’
• Issues or elements and events in national
interest and national security are reflected on
a nation’s security strategy

3. Natonal Security Strategy (NSS)
• National interest as basis for national security
reflects core issues and elements raise by
stakeholders
• All nations of the world have National Security
Strategy (NSS) in one form or the other.
• NSS is a plan tied to identified or available
resources for ensuring the continued existance
of a nation.
• NSS provides guidance on managing national
interest and national security over a long period
of time.

4. Core Issues in National Interest and
National Security
*Common denominators in every National
Security Strategy across the world
*Core &*Optional

5. Core Elements of NSS
•Endorsement by Head of Government
and Commander-in-Chief.
•Clear Reflection of National Values.
•Clear Articulation of National
Interest.
•Declaration of Strategic Vision.
•Identification and Assessment of
Future Challenges.

6. Other Core Issues or Elements
• Risk Assessment.
•Overview of Required Resources.
• Effective Time Frame.
•Measures of effectiveness.
• Basic Implementation Guidance or
Strategies.

7. Optional Issues or Elements
• Feedback Mechanism:
Quarterly Progress Reports by Agencies
• Legacy Statements or Releases:
Highlights of achievements
• Explanation of Methodology:
Methods used in producing the document,
including results

8. Further Readings: Attached
DuMont, M. (2019) Elements of national security
strategy, Atlantic Council, February 28.
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/content-series/strategy-consortium/elements-of-national-security-strategy/

9. Current Events in National Interest and
National Security
*Threats to the existance, survival, and
development of nations

10. Threats to National Values
• Threats to National Integrity:
Within and Without - Internal and External
Threats
• Threats to Population and way of life (or Culture):
Safety, Security, and Wellbeing of Citizens
• Threats to Systems, Institutions, and Laws of the
Land:
Goverment, Structures, Agencies, Regulations
and enforcement

11. Classification of National Values
Primary Values:
Preservation of
physical, political,
and cultural
identities against
threats of
encroachment
Secondary Values:
Vital for the
existence of the
state like protection
of citizens abroad
and diplomatic
immunity for
diplomatic staff
Permanent Values:
Constant long-term
interests of the
state subject to low
changes
Variable Values:
Considered as vital
for national good and
determined by socio-
political needs and
capacity
General Values:
Positive conditions
like trade, diplomatic
relations, cultural
exchange, etc.
Specific Values:
Outcrop of general
interests defined by
time and space like
rights economic
growth

12. Some Major Threats
• War - With other nations/Regional/Global
• Internal Conflict - Ethno-religious, Communal Crises,
Internal, Border/Riots
• Terrorism - Systemic attacks on the population,
government installations, schools,
infrastructure, Banditry
• Insurgency - Territorial siezure, declaration of
parallel authority, act of separatism,
• Violent Crimes - Kidnappings, robbery,

13. Other Serious Events
• Human Trafficking
• Incitements
• Thefts
• Corrupt Practices
• Resource Wastefulness
• Unemployment
• Hunger
• Pandemics
• Cultism

14. Some Issues and Responsible Agencies
• Drugs Addiction - NDLEA
• Traffic Crashes - FRSC
• Petty Crimes - Police
• Natural Disaster - NEMA/Fire Service
• System Failures - Admin Agencies
• Poverty - Relevant MDAs
• Droughts/Floods - MDAs
• Disease - Health Agencies/Media

15. Core Issues or Elements and Current Events in
Nigeria
• Core Issues or Elements and Current Events in Nigeria are
reflected on the ‘Forward’ and ‘Preface’ of the National Security
Strategy.
• The ‘Forward’ bears the endorsement by the President, and
Commander-in-Chief.
• The ‘Preface’ is an elaboration by the National Security Adviser
to the President.
NB:
Copy of Nigeria’s NSS is also attached as reference materials for Class Exercise

16. Exercise
•The Interest Game Exercise of the last Lecture
has exposed various elements and issues on
National Interest and Security.
•Refer to the items you discussed on The
Interest Game and adapt it to the Nigerian
National Security Strategy.
•In 300-500 words - Due on Friday 17 Feb 2023.