Confronting Nigeria’s criminality crisis

In Nigeria today, the question of criminality has taken on reflective significance. The profile of criminality has evolved dramatically, expanding beyond traditional street-level offences to include sophisticated operations by those in positions of power and influence. Sadly, today’s criminals walk the corridors of authority, operate from air-conditioned offices, and control resources meant for public development.

This transformation represents not merely a criminality, and by extension a security challenge, but a governance crisis requiring systemic intervention. The statistics paint a concerning picture: according to the National Bureau of Statistics, an estimated 51.89 million crime incidents occurred in Nigerian households between May 2023 and April 2024. The North-West region recorded the highest incidence at 14.4 million cases, while the South-East, with the lowest figures, still registered 6.18 million incidents. These numbers reflect deep structural issues that transcend conventional crime-fighting security responses.

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The economic consequences of this criminality crisis are staggering. Nigeria lost 619.7 million barrels of crude oil through theft and bunkering between 2009 and 2020, valued at approximately $46.16 billion. During a single year (May 2023–April 2024), Nigerians made a surprising N2.23 trillion in ransom payments. Corruption alone is estimated to cost the nation $18 billion annually.

Beyond these measurable losses lies a deeper social cost: the erosion of public trust in institutions. When known offenders enjoy immunity and the wealthy can effectively purchase preferential treatment within the justice system, the foundations of societal order are undermined. The prison system itself has become compromised, with reports of inmates leaving facilities to commit serious crimes like armed robbery and returning to their cells with their loot, while wealthy prisoners transform their cells into comfortable accommodations.

Despite these challenges, successful interventions across Africa provide valuable templates for reform. Burundi’s Security Sector Development programme has advanced both security sector effectiveness and democratic accountability through a methodical approach that addresses politically sensitive issues. This programme demonstrates how security reform can succeed when it systematically builds trust while simultaneously addressing governmental concerns.

Kenya’s judicial transformation offers another instructive example. The country has enacted substantial reforms to enhance access to justice, accountability, and legal representation for marginalised communities. These reforms have produced a judiciary increasingly willing to serve as an impartial arbiter in political disputes, thereby strengthening democratic processes.

“Beyond these measurable losses lies a deeper social cost: the erosion of public trust in institutions.”

In Nigeria, Bayelsa State’s community-based crime prevention strategy represents a promising approach. This initiative recognises that “security and safety can only be improved if there is effective collaboration between law enforcement and other sectors of government, community representatives and civil society”. By integrating services and facilitating shared communication, this model addresses both immediate security concerns and their underlying causes.

Nigeria’s criminality challenge represents not merely a crisis but an opportunity for transformative reform. By learning from successful interventions both domestically and regionally, implementing comprehensive reforms, and fostering genuine citizen participation, Nigeria can chart a path toward sustainable security and development. This endeavour requires not only political will but also civic engagement and the commitment of every Nigerian to build a society where justice and security are universally accessible.

To effectively address Nigeria’s criminality challenges could require different approaches. Topmost among these will be a reform in the security sector. Nigeria must modernise its security architecture while strengthening oversight mechanisms. This includes equipping agencies with contemporary technology and instituting rigorous accountability measures that reward professionalism and sanction misconduct.

Revamping the judiciary sector, which will require comprehensive reform to reduce case backlogs and ensure timely adjudication. Nigeria can build on positive developments in judicial independence that have emerged since the restoration of democratic rule in 1999.

Advanced analytics and information-sharing platforms can enhance the capacity to identify and disrupt criminal networks. South Africa’s innovation hub, which coordinates fintech development through a regulatory advisory unit, regulatory sandbox, and innovation accelerator, offers a model for technology-driven solutions.

Also, expanding economic opportunity is essential for reducing vulnerability to criminal recruitment. Ghana’s national financial inclusion strategy, which increased financial inclusion from 58 percent in 2018 to 96 percent in 2021, shows the possibility of progress in this area.

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Likewise, addressing the cultural valorisation of wealth regardless of its source requires sustained effort. Educational initiatives and public campaigns can help restore ethical principles and civic responsibility.

No sustainable criminality solution can succeed without ensuring that accountability applies equally to all citizens regardless of wealth or position. The effectiveness of Nigeria’s institutions depends on their perceived legitimacy.

The future of Nigeria’s stability and prosperity depends on our collective resolve to transform the criminal justice system and related security institutions into trusted guarantors of public safety and national development, says Ogie Eboigbe, executive vice president, iNSDEC LTD/GTE.