International Security and Arms Control in Africa: Assessing Nigeria’s Response to the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons, 2015–2025

Emmanuella Uzoetoh Chiwuzie PhD

doi:10.56201/jpslr.vol.12.no8.2026.pg40.54

📄 Download Paper

International Security and Arms Control in Africa: Assessing Nigeria’s Response to the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons, 2015–2025

Emmanuella Uzoetoh Chiwuzie PhD

Abstract

The proliferation and illicit circulation of small arms and light weapons remained a major threat to international, regional and national security in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, where terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence and organised crime were sustained by illicit access to firearms. This study assessed Nigeria’s response to the proliferation of SALW between 2015 and 2025, with particular attention to the effectiveness of its national, regional and international arms-control measures. The study was anchored on Securitization Theory, developed by Buzan, Wæver and de Wilde (1998). A mixed-methods documentary design was adopted, combining quantitative analysis of verified arms-interception and recovery data with qualitative analysis of international treaties, ECOWAS instruments, Nigerian institutional measures, official policy documents, judicial/legal materials and recent scholarly literature. The findings showed that Nigeria progressively strengthened its institutional response, especially through the establishment of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) in 2021, enhanced border enforcement, weapons marking, stockpile- management initiatives, inter-agency cooperation and international engagement. However, the response remained constrained by porous borders, locally manufactured firearms, diversion from official stockpiles, weak tracing and record-keeping systems, institutional fragmentation and persistent demand generated by insecurity. The study concluded that Nigeria’s response had become more comprehensive but remained predominantly reactive rather than preventive. It recommended integrated firearms tracing and marking, stronger border and regional intelligence cooperation, systematic management of state and security-force stockpiles, and community-based prevention programmes addressing the demand for illicit weapons.

References

African Union. (2026). Defense and security. African Union Commission. Alusala, N. (n.d.). Small arms trafficking in the Sahel: The role of tri-border towns. Institute for Security Studies. Asiyanbi, S. B., Akinyemi, O., Adeyemi, K., & Ademiluyi, F. A. (2024). Nigeria's security architecture and the challenges of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. African Renaissance, 21(2), 235–252. Assanvo, W. (2017). Are West Africa's gunsmiths making violence cheap? Institute for Security Studies. Buzan, B., Wæver, O., & de Wilde, J. (1998). Security: A new framework for analysis. Lynne Rienner Publishers. Economic Community of West African States. (2006). ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Their Ammunition and Other Related Materials. ECOWAS Commission. Institute for Security Studies. (2024). Looser gun laws could deepen Nigeria's security crisis. ISS Today. National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons. (2025). NCCSALW begins seven-day weapons marking course. Office of the National Security Adviser. National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons. (2025). NCCSALW, NCoS deepen collaboration on arms control and security. Office of the National Security Adviser. National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons. (2025). NCCSALW hosts U.S. Embassy INL Director: Deepens strategic collaboration on small arms control. Office of the National Security Adviser. Nigeria Customs Service. (2025). Nigeria Customs Service hands over seized arms and ammunition to NCCSALW. NCS. Ogune, M. (2025). Crime proceeds funding arms smuggling into Nigeria-NCCSALW DG. The Guardian Nigeria. United Nations. (2013). Arms Trade Treaty. United Nations General Assembly. United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. (2024). Report of the Fourth United Nations Conference to Review Progress Made in the Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (A/CONF.192/2024/RC/3). United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. (2025). United Nations Disarmament Yearbook 2024. United Nations. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2024). UNODC strategic vision for Nigeria 2030. United Nations. Voice of Nigeria. (2025). OPSH hands over confiscated arms to NCCSALW. VN Arms Trade Treaty, New York, 2 April 2013, United Nations Treaty Series, Vol. 3013. ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Their Ammunition and Other Related Materials. United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects.

International Security and Arms Control in Africa: Assessing Nigeria’s Response to the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons, 2015–2025

Abstract

References

More Articles from JOURNAL OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND LEADERSHIP RESEARCH