

































 

 

 

 

WORLD PEACE AND SECURITY IN TURBULENCE ERA: The Impact 
of Russia-Ukraine War on Peace, Security and Development in Nigeria 

 

Adesola Mercy FASIKU (Ph.D) 1    &   Adedeji Matthew ADEDAYO2 

 
1Department of Social Science Education, School of Social Science Education, College of Education, Bamidele 

Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria  
Email: fasiku.adesola@bouesti.edu.ng,  Tel: +2348062647636 

2Department of Peace and Security Studies, School of Social and Management Sciences, College of Sciences, 
Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria 

Email: adedayo.adedeji@bouesti.edu.ng,  Tel: +2347031537294  

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
Abstract 

Since the inception of the 20th century, many wars have been recorded which still leaves its 
impacts till today. Premised of this background, this study examines the impact of the Russo-
Ukrainian war on peace, security and development in Nigeria. The study seeks to find and 
explain the relative consequences of the war on the Human Security and governance, and 
sustainability system in Nigeria; examine how the war has affected the governmental efforts 
at stemming up security and threats within and outside and aims at cross examination of the 
impacts of the war on the systematic/holistic development in Nigeria. The study adopts the 
Just War Theory as its theoretical framework. The research methodology employed in the 

study is mixed research method. The data used for the study includes both primary and 
secondary sources. The interview was tailored towards eliciting information from key 
informants; the Secondary data were sourced from textbooks, journals and internet materials 
in relation to the subject studied. The study concludes that there is needs for strengthen 
resilience efforts towards reducing Nigeria’s dependency on importing goods and services, 
and invest in technology and infrastructure and promotes innovative approaches.  

Keywords: Peace, Security, Human Security, Development, War, Turbulence 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 )

Volume 06 | Issue 04 | April 2023 |                    http://www.ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 1

mailto:fasiku.adesola@bouesti.edu.ng
mailto:adedayo.adedeji@bouesti.edu.ng


 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction 
Security is the state of being free from danger or threat, the quality or state of being 

secure as well as freedom from danger and freedom from fear or anxiety. It is the reduction or 
lessening of all forms of violence including rape, gender subordination, domestic violence, 
economic, and ecological destruction (Bassey, 2018). Thus, traditionally, security is the 
unilateral function of the state especially if we consider the intellectual view(s) of some 
political theorists like Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and JJ Rousseau, who have argued that 
the essence of a state is to provide law and order, which are attained through (effective) 
security. 

According to Encarta (2006), peace is freedom from war; the end state of war; 
tranquility; a calm quiet state free from disturbance; a state of mental calm, serenity, devoid 
of anxiety; a state of harmony, free form conflict or disagreement; a treaty agreeing to end an 
hostility; law and order; a state devoid of violence, crime and other forms of disturbance. 
Agreeably, peace and security is as essential as human existence and if the right to life 
determines other fundamental human rights, it becomes expedient that the society, Nigeria in 
particular, this against the background of the fact that unless lives and properties are secured, 
there cannot be any appreciable development in any human society (Nwolise, 2016). 

Therefore, every society needs security and safety to exist and also achieve 
sustainable growth and development. It is equally good to know that safety and security 
encapsulate many things, which includes: lives, food supplies, health, housing, environmental 
security, territorial security, personal security, etc (Appadorai, 1982). Against this 
background, the United Nations (UN) sees security within the context of moral rights and 
acknowledges its intrinsic contributions to development. The security and safety of lives and 
properties overtly encourage social well-being and financial health. Invariably, they promote 
human productivity and economic life integration by helping humans to be calmer, 
understanding, responsive than being reactive, more observant, and to achieve cognitive 
awareness. In light of the foregoing, security and safety are vital for the survival of human 
societies because they are essential conditions for sustainable development and self-reliance 
(UN Commission on Human Security, 2003). 

Since the inception of the 20th century, many wars have been recorded, including 
civil wars, regional wars, continental wars and above all world war and not ruling out the 
cold war which still leaves it's impacts till today and likelihood of re-ignition, readily come to 
mind is the ongoing war of invasion in Ukrainian propelled by Russia and resisted by the 
Ukrainians.  Many wars ensued with clear cuts reasons while others started based on 
unreasonable grounds and ended even the more detriment of the war parties.  

The Russia-Ukraine war starts at a time when the Nigerian government and the people 
are still struggling to recover from the subverting consequences of the global COVID-19 
pandemic, which caused deep socio-economic deterioration, that lead to loss of productivity, 
worsening inequalities, and in some cases security challenges. The war threatening to derail 
development progress and advancement in Nigeria, pushing the 2030 Sustainable 
Development Goals and the aspirations of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and President 
Mohammed Buhari administration Economic Recovery Agenda further out of reach. 

Nigeria-State, has been having challenges of peace and security some years back, but 
the recent waves of Russo-Ukrainian interstate war posed threats to both the peace, national 
and human security of Nigeria as it escalating geometrically and, therefore, rapidly assuming 

IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 )

Volume 06 | Issue 04 | April 2023 |                    http://www.ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 2



 

 

 

a dangerous dimension on the social, energy, political, and economic peace, security and 
development.  

As a result of ongoing Russo-Ukrainian warfare, this emergency is commonly 
understood as the threat posed by insecurity and other criminal activities in Nigeria. 
However, this understates the complexity and multidimensional nature of Russia-Ukraine war 
security challenges, which impact all aspect of Nigeria economic, social and political 
development and advancement.  

From the forgoing, the objective of this paper is therefore to examine the impact of 
the Russo-Ukrainian war on peace, security and development in Nigeria. The study seeks to 
find and explain the relative consequences of the war on the Human Security (economic, 
food, political, and energy security) and governance, and sustainability system in Nigeria; 
examine how the war has affected the governmental efforts at stemming up security and 
threats within and outside Nigeria. In addition, the study aims at cross examination of the 
impacts of the war on the systematic/holistic development in Nigeria. 
 
Literature Review 
Conceptual Clarifications 
Peace 

According to Baljit (2003), peace has become a central focus in the general world 
discourse, that the word peace is very often use and abused and that since it lacks an 
agreeable definition and difficult to conceptualize, it is imaginary and utopian. He postulates 
that peace conjures images of harmony and bliss in psychological, social and political sense. 
These images seem to conflict with the reality of a chaotic and non-harmonious world. The 
field of peace research is for that reason an attempt to reach towards a world which is 
peaceful or a least free from violence. 

Galtung (1994) makes clarifications between positive peace and negative peace. 
Hence, he sees negative peace “as the absence of violence, absence of war” and “positive 
peace” as the absence of negative peace as well as elimination of those structures and 
imperfections in the way of the society as to enable individuals to find fulfillment. i.e the 
integration of human society.  
Security and Human Security  

Security basically means the state of being free from danger or threat. In other words, 
it implies “the degree of resistance to, or protection from harm” (Adeniyi, 2014). According 
to the 1991 OAU Kampala Document, “Towards a Conference on Security, Stability, 
Development and Cooperation in Africa”, security is a wide concept that “embraces all 
aspects of the society, including the economic, political and social dimensions of individual, 
family, community and national life. The security of a nation must be constructed in terms of 
the security of the individual citizen to live in peace with access to basic necessities of life 
while fully participating in the affairs of his or her society in freedom and enjoying all 
fundamental human rights”.  

The notion of security is the concept of human security since “people’s safety” lies at 
the core of security concerns. In its Human Development Report, “New Dimensions of 
Human Security” (2014), the UNDP made the first attempt to develop a broad understanding 
of human security. Its conceptualization dwelled on conceiving security not only as an 
exclusive preserve of the state, territory and military matters but also on individuals who are 
at the heart of security concerns. Human security is seen as consisting of seven components 
including economic security, food security, health security, environmental security, personal 
security, community security and political security.  
 
Development 

Development as a concept is a victim of definitional pluralism. It is a difficult word to 
define. Gboyega (2013) captures development as an idea that embodies all attempts to 

IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 )

Volume 06 | Issue 04 | April 2023 |                    http://www.ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 3



 

 

 

improve the conditions of human existence in all ramifications. It implies improvement in 
material wellbeing of all citizens, not the most powerful and rich alone, in a sustainable way 
such that today’s consumption does not imperil the future, it also demands that poverty and 
inequality of access to the good things of life be removed or drastically reduced. It seeks to 
improve personal and physical security and livelihoods and expansion of life chances.  
               Accordingly, Naomi (2005) believes that development is usually taken to involve 
not only economic growth, but also some notion of equitable distribution, provision of health 
care, education, housing and other essential services all with a view to improving the 
individual and collective quality of life. Chrisman (2014) views development as a process of 
societal advancement, where improvement in the well being of people are generated through 
strong partnerships between all sectors, corporate bodies and other groups in the society. It is 
reasonable to know that development is not only an economic exercise, but also involves both 
socio-economic and political issues and pervades all aspects of societal life.  
 
Historical Background of Interstate War 

Interstate war is the military conflict between separate states over a territory and 
common interest; it does not include civil wars and wars of independence, or smaller clashes 
with limited causalities (less than 100 combat deaths). For instance, Iraq’s Kuwait invasion in 
1990 caused an interstate war between the United States and Iraq. In the  world, there have 
been various interstate wars such as Indo-Pakistani war of 1947; 1948 Arab-Israeli War; 
Vietnam war 1955; Sino-Indian War 1962; Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation 1963; war of 
attrition 1967; United States invasion of Panama 1990; Gulf war, 1991; NATO bombing of 
Yugoslavia 1999; United States invasion of Afghanistan 2001; 2003 invasion of Iraq; Iran-
Israel conflict during the Syrian civil war; 2016 Armenian-Azerbaijani clashes; American-led 
intervention in the Syrian civil war; just to mention a few.  In Africa, there are series of 
interstate wars such as Chadian-Nigeria War, 1983; Chadian-Libyan Conflict 1987; Uganda-
Tanzania War, 1979; 2011 military intervention in Libya. 
 
Causes of Interstate Wars 

Socio-economic development, power, trade, rivalry (military, economic, political and 
social) and resources are the general economic and political causes of interstate wars. On the 
contrary, whereas the trade’s impact on the risk of an intrastate war is not apparent, resource 
abundance and underdevelopment provide incentives for such wars. According to Mansfield 
and Pollins (2001), Liberalists postulated that trade relations generally provides deterrents for 
interstate wars, realists opine that trade increases the likelihood of such wars. Furthermore, 
various scholars emphasize the absence of the obvious connection between the probability of 
interstate war and economic interdependence. For example, liberals generally assert that trade 
diminishes the likelihood of conflicts since interstate wars negatively affect commerce both 
contemporaneously and prospectively.  

Waltz (1979) believes that economic interdependence increases the risk of an 
interstate war since the linkages between potential participants lead to a war. Mearsheimer 
(1990) also warns that states usually fear that their enemies might stop the flow of supplies in 
times of war or crisis.  
 
Russo-Ukrainian War in Historical Perspectives  

A diversity of social, economical, cultural, ethnic and linguistic factors triggered the 
sparking of unrest in Eastern and Southern Ukraine in 2014, and the subsequent eruption of 
the Russo-Ukrainian war, on the aftermath of the early 2014 Revolution of Dignity. 
Following the sovereignty or autonomy of the Ukraine from the Soviet Union in 1991, 
repeated historical and cultural differences and an assailable state component hampered the 
development of a proclaimed Ukrainian National Identity (Galeotti, 2019).   

IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 )

Volume 06 | Issue 04 | April 2023 |                    http://www.ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 4



 

 

 

The Russification and Russian habitation during centuries of Russian rule in eastern 
and southern Ukraine had caused the Russian language to have its peak, even amongst ethnic 
Ukrainians. After the Orange Revolution in 2004, Russia launched a decade -long effort to 
restore its political dominance and influence in Ukraine, by playing on existing fault lines and 
undermining the central government (Perrigo, 2022). 

The tensions between the duo competing historical and cultural traditions 
metamorphosed into political and social conflict during the Euromadian, which started when 
Viktor Yanukovych; the then Ukrainian president, refused to sign an association agreement 
with the European Union on 21st November, 2013 (Wiegrefe, 2022). A clash of interest 
emanated as there was a strong support in western and central Ukraine for closer ties with 
Europe whilst a few number (many) in eastern and southern Ukraine traditionally favored 
stronger relations with Russia. Viktor Yanukovych, who got most of his support from eastern 
regions, was forced to step down his office in February 2014. His ouster was followed by 
protests in Eastern and Southern Ukraine that placed a strong emphasis on the relevance of 
historical ties to Russia, the Russian Language and antipathy towards the Euromaidan 
movement (Perrigo, 2022).  
 
Theoretical Framework  

This aspect of the study discusses the theory that forms the framework with which the 
research works is built. For the purpose of this study, the theories used is Just War Theory 
Just War Theory: Since the long and enduring Just War tradition has evolved with the 
involvement of great figures such as Thomas Aquinas-divine natural law (1225-1275), Hugo 
Grotius-humanity natural law (law of nations) as father of international law (1583-1645). 
Grotius inaugurated the modern development of international law through his attempt to 
restate and revive the criteria of just war in secular form. Early attempts to contain or prevent 
warfare have produced the much famous JUST WAR THEORY. St. Augustine of Hippo 
(354-430) is commonly held to be the first to initiate the ‘Just War Theory’. 

The theory gives some wars legal and moral justification, condemns those that do not 
comply with the requisite specification and imposes restrictions of the actual conduct of war. 
As such it is made of a set of moral criteria (guidelines) for determining and judging whether 
and when a state may have recourse to war and how it may fight the war. According to the 
Just War Theory, nations or states sometimes have moral justification for resorting to war. 
That war is sometimes, but not always morally right. The aim of ‘Just War Theory’ is to 
provide a guide to the right way for states to act in potential conflict situations. 

It has been observed that war cannot be totally dissuaded as there are many factors 
that can propel war as a open conflict or violent between countries or within a countries 
among factions within the state, nevertheless, Russo-Ukrainian War is been seen as the 
options of resolving a conflict and protecting nation’s interest against other nations.  The Just 
War Theory also speculate that if war parties can rightly satisfied the conditions under each 
group then war is justified but if they fail to satisfy one of the war is termed as injustice and 
the part that failed to fulfill it shall be hold responsible for war crimes and irrational 
involvement in war.  
 
Methodology 

The study utilized mixed methods research design which comprises qualitative and 
quantitative research approaches. In the context of this study, qualitative method involved the 
use of Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Direct Observations (OBs) while quantitative 
method involving the use of questionnaire. The data used for the study includes both primary 
and secondary sources. The interview was tailored towards eliciting information from key 
informants, including security experts, peace and conflict experts, international relations 
experts, public affairs analysts, political scientists, social scientists, and other stakeholders. 

IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 )

Volume 06 | Issue 04 | April 2023 |                    http://www.ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 5



 

 

 

Secondary data were sourced from textbooks, journals, newspapers, conflict bulletin, and 
internet materials in relation to the subject studied.  
 
The Demographic Characteristics of Respondents 

Fifty (50), questionnaires were administered to Security Experts (5), Peace and 
Conflict Experts (10), International Relations Experts (5), Public Affairs Analysts (10), 
Political Scientists (5), Social Scientists (5), and other stakeholders (10) in Nigeria.  
 
 
Findings and Discussion  
Findings of Objective 1 
The Impact of Russo-Ukrainian War on Peace, Security and Development in Nigeria 

The Nigeria Political scene as well as other key sectors of the Nigerian polity, prior to 
the Russo-Ukrainian War have been partially fairing well though not without daunting 
challenges. However, the ongoing war in Ukrainian which is entering it is nine (9) months of 
prosecution has revealed more weaknesses and incapacitated state of Nigeria polity, 
stretching across all key sectors, not only this, the war has also informed us how vulnerable 
Nigeria in all her sector is to the international vagaries. Nonetheless, the war has again 
underscore how deep and how intensifying the rate of globalization in the contemporary 
World Politics.  

As revealed and gathered, Nigeria is characterized with social chaos, indifferences, 
tensions and imbroglio which all hamper human qualitative development. The struggle of 
men to arrive at good economic ends and live a better life in a much disarticulated economic 
environment has prompted many people into engaging in incriminating activities, ill-
businesses all in the name of meeting ends economically. Majority of the respondents agreed 
that the offshoots of these tensions are sporadic cases of kidnapping, banditry attacks, 
ritualism, hooliganism, terrorism and the likes.  

As revealed by respondents, with the inception of the ongoing Russia invasion in 
Ukraine, Nigeria security woes and challenges becomes more complicated, and on alarming 
increase. Even with some unreported or swept under the carpets.  

A popular saying goes thus “an hungry man is an angry man”, The worsening 
economic conditions which is characterized by high inflation rate, devaluation of naira, pump 
price of petroleum and the high cost of living both in the rural and Urban settlement are all 
pushing peep to the rear wall, one of the respondents postulated that, the saints citizens who 
had earlier had zero tolerance for crime and fraudulent acts of garnering wealth’s are now 
giving it a second thoughts of joining the bad wagons of fraudsters, kidnappers who by that 
had break even financially, while the already inducted members of kidnapping gangs are 
renewing their ardent  and short- sighted commitment to continue in their evil acts, all 
because they want to make is financially and to despise the worsening economic conditions. 

To some extent some even claims that Nigeria is a frustrating country, but we should 
know that prior to the Russo-Ukrainian War, things were a bit normal but with the inception 
of the war, things gets worse as cost price of foods, fuel and other commodities which must 
be imported are increasing day by day coupling with the rise of dollar and devaluation of 
Naira.   

All the respondents agreed that, the economy of Nigeria which is currently and badly 
affected by the war has indirectly worsened and complicate security issues. With hope in 
sight they believes Nigeria could move out of this muddy situation and muster her economic 
strength now and after the war in order to change the face of things for better as regards peace 
and security in the country.  
 
Findings of Objective 2 

IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 )

Volume 06 | Issue 04 | April 2023 |                    http://www.ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 6



 

 

 

The Relative Consequences of the War on the Human Security (Economic, Food, 
Political, and Energy security) and Governance, and Sustainability System in Nigeria  

Nigeria economically has been long tied to the Western economies such as that of 
other third World state as argued by the dependency theorists. It is a well known fact 
especially to the intellectuals and critics that the Nigeria economy is dangling on an economic 
balance, caught up between influence of Western propelled economy and the Eastern 
economic influences (notably from Russia and China). As a result of the rising tide of 
globalization and the wider scope of international web of connection, Nigeria economy is 
now operating on a probability mode, that is, the probability of Nigeria economy surviving or 
crashing depends on what goes on in the West or in the East. It has been argued by 
Dependency theorist of whom Andre Gunder Frank is a notable proponent of the theory, that 
"if the American (Western) economy should sneezes, Nigerian economy (symbolizing third 
world states) would catches cold". This explains why Nigerian economy just like other 
country in the African regions are suffering from the effects of the Russo-Ukrainian War, 
because we have been too dependent on Ukrainian Agricultural produce, while war goes on 
there (Ukraine) , famine and high cost of foods are ravaging our land(s).  

While the Nigerians are still recovering from the aftermath of global economic 
meltdown and shocks from the broke out of Covid-19, Russo-Ukrainian war yet again 
complicate things for the world, not Nigeria alone now.  
Caleb Ojewale (2022) of Business Day publication in his article titled “How Nigeria is 
paying for Russia- Ukraine War” noted that 

“The Russia large scale invasion of Ukraine which began on 
February 24, 2022, has pushed the prices of crude oil, natural 
gas, aluminum, nickels, wheat and  other commodities to record 
high”( Ojewale,2022). 

In furtherance, he observed that the conflict has led to higher petrol subsidy bill and 
surge in the prices of diesel, aviation fuel, cooking gas and some items locally in Nigeria. By 
implication, the Nigeria local economy which has been primarily based on income generated 
solely from crude oil has witnessed some setback. Earlier this year (2022) Nigeria witness’s 
nationwide shortage of petrol, to which the Federal government blames the war going on 
Ukraine as they claimed, hampers the importation of refined petroleum.  

Apparently Nigeria economy is yet to be totally not even partially divorced from too 
much of dependency on the economy of developed State. Nigeria is yet to diversified her 
economy, Nigeria is yet to be like the Ancient Egyptians helped by Joseph who stored grains 
for time of famine, well the war in Ukraine should inform Nigeria government the need to 
rethink.  

On food security, the Nigeria food production and its security is yet to be propelled by 
internal forces, though Nigeria is trying to be sufficient to a considerable extent in terms of 
food security but the domestic conflict, crisis and insecurity undermines these efforts. 
However, we shall take a look at how the war affects Nigeria food security. First we must 
know that no country in the world is self sufficient but the case of the African state is beyond 
normal when it comes to depending on imported foods.  

Some of the respondents averred that due to the ongoing war between Russia and 
Ukraine, some of the manufacturing and production industries in Nigeria were unable to meet 
their daily production level due to non-availability of raw materials which they usually 
import from foreign countries. This scenario has led to low production outputs.  

According to a respondent, who is international relations expert averred that the 
Russo-Ukrainian war has continue to weakened the Nigeria economy due to the significant 
disruptions in trade and food and fuel price shocks, all of which are contributing to high 
inflation and subsequent tightening in Nigeria financing conditions. Another respondent 
averred that the Russo-Ukrainian war has also affected the importation of raw materials for 

IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 )

Volume 06 | Issue 04 | April 2023 |                    http://www.ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 7



 

 

 

fertilizer and other agricultural commodities, which has been threatening the food security of 
Nigeria. 
 
Ojewale (2022), noted that  

“the country's dependence on goods ranging from refined 
petroleum to fertilizer me, and foods especially wheat 
has seen Nigeria paying for a war they are not part of”.  

The Ukraine being the largest exporter of grains explains how devoted and committed 
they are to mechanized, commercial farming, while they are doing this, Nigeria as well as 
other African state keep on folding arms all ready to import what is produced over there. 
Since the war began in February 2022, the free flows of importation and exportation of grains 
has been halted putting many countries that depends on Ukrainian grains to be exposed to 
danger of famine, to this Vlodymir Zelensky the President of Ukraine incessantly call the 
attention of UNO and the powerful state of the world to curb the Russian forces who are 
preventing the exportation of grains. Though Ukraine economy is badly affected by this, but 
what of countries who never fights the war but vulnerable to shortage of foods and 
humanitarian crisis as a result of hunger.  

Nigeria pay the price of the war in Ukraine in terms of shortage of foods where they 
are even circulated they are sold at exuberant prices, which make most of Nigeria living in 
abject poverty to be unable to afford daily meals. It is unfortunate that the situation of things 
now is ironical, that is, while Ukrainians civilians are dying from gun fires and bomb shells in 
theatre of war Nigerians at home are suffering from shortage of food and high cost of food 
which could lead to death owing to hunger.  
 
Findings of Objective 3 
The Effects of the Russo-Ukrainian War on the Governmental Efforts at Stemming up 
Security and Threats within and outside Nigeria and Systematic/Holistic Development in 
Nigeria 

By accessing the cross-cutting impacts of war between Russia-Ukraine has on 
development in Nigeria, respondents opined that prior to the inception of the War in Ukraine, 
USA and her Western allies has been an ardent antagonist of any form of terrorism and they 
have been good friends of Africa in times of intra state conflict which indirectly may affect 
their own national interests. Palestine-Isreali conflicts, conflict in Syria, Ethiopia-Tigray Civil 
War, Mynammar military clampdown on civilians and the rise in tide of military takeover of 
States in Africa have all been on the radar of America and her European counterpart whereby 
they indirectly provide supports to resolve any of these or putting pressures for a peaceful 
resolution of conflicts.  

However it must be noted that the war in Ukraine has limited international concern for 
other state of the world facing hard times in dealing with intra-state conflict. While the likes 
of countries like Nigeria and other state ridden with conflicts such as Somalia, Palestine, 
Syria are receiving lesser international support to combat forces militating against state 
stability in government. While all international attentions both bilaterally and multilaterally 
are geared towards Ukraine with financial support, state of the art weapons of war are 
shipped into Ukraine to fight the war with seeming payoffs for the western camp.  

Though many countries such as Nigeria, and other state facing threats and activities of 
transnational guerrilla/ militant forces (Islamic States of West African Province (ISWAP) 
readily come to mind) have long been diplomatically requesting from external support to 
combat this anti-state forces or actors, but with little or no attention given. One of the 
respondent averred that who knows maybe America, European Union have been planning to 
help conflict ridden state outside their continent only for Russo-Ukrainian War to ensure 
diverting the attention the one commanding more attention and of great implication for their 
national interest.  

IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 )

Volume 06 | Issue 04 | April 2023 |                    http://www.ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 8



 

 

 

Another respondent noted that Russia is one of the largest exporters of weapon of 
war, but with the war of invasion of Ukraine by Russia and with the sanctions places on 
Russia by the super/big powers, the procurement of weapons of war may carry ideological 
connotation for the Western countries. Taking for instance Nigeria enjoys a lot of benefits 
from United State of America and other Western countries but now if there be any reason for 
Nigeria to procure weapons from Russia to combat her own national security problems, such 
a decision may generate international attention and concern sending a signal/ message to the 
US government and her allies. Thus, many counties in the same shoes with Nigeria may 
experience a diplomatic dilemma and an ideological confusion in this period of war not 
knowing who to side for the greatest benefits and whether we like it or not the more reluctant 
the government are to be proactive in making serious decisions that will mitigate internal 
conflict and security challenges, the more the perpetrators of insecurity woes will be gaining 
more grounds, having known the state of confusion of the government.  
 
 
 
 
Major Findings of the Study  

a) The study find out that the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War has been affecting the 
nature and efforts at achieving sustainable peace in Nigeria, also the human and 
national security system of Nigeria have been directly and indirectly been threatened 
by the war, and ultimately the pace of Nigeria systemic development has been 
hampered by the war felt in the major sectors of the economy. 

b) The Russo-Ukrainian war has derailed Nigeria’s slow recovery from Covid-19 
pandemic, as the war in Ukraine has affected economies and the sustainable 
development in Nigeria  

c) There are clear long-term effects of the war on Nigeria, including a possible social 
and economic instability and debt un-sustainability, which may likely lead to 
inequality and poverty. 

d) The most visible impact of the Russo-Ukrainian war on Nigeria is the rising fuel and 
food prices, inflation and financial instability. Food insecurity is likely to last and 
have a negative effect on all aspects of human development from income to health 
and education.    
 

Conclusion and Recommendations  
This study examines the impact of the Russo-Ukrainian war on peace, security and 

development in Nigeria. The study finds and explains the relative consequences of the war on 
the Human Security (economic, food, political, and energy security) and governance, and 
sustainability system in Nigeria. The study also examines how the war has affected the 
governmental efforts at stemming up security and threats within and outside and cross 
examination of the impacts of the war on the systematic/holistic development in Nigeria. 

The study concludes that there is needs for strengthen resilience efforts towards 
reducing Nigeria’s dependency on importing goods and services, and invest in technology 
and infrastructure and promotes innovative approaches.  
Sequel to the findings from the study, the following recommendations are made;  

a) There is need for federal government of Nigeria to Boosting green structural 
transformation which require strategic investment in long term financing for better 
economic and digital infrastructure and services 

b) In order to address the root causes of poverty and inequality, the federal government 
of Nigeria must invest in clean affordable energy, technology and financing 
specifically targeted at micro, small and medium enterprises engaged in fisheries, 
agriculture, small-scale mining, nature-based products and services such as tourism. 

IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 )

Volume 06 | Issue 04 | April 2023 |                    http://www.ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 9



 

 

 

 
 

References 
Adeniyi, E.F. (2014). Promoting Security and Culture of Peace through Peace Education: Peace 

Studies and Practice, 1(3), 265-278 
Appadoral. A (1982).The Substance of Politics, London, Oxford Press Ltd. 
Bassey, C. (2018). Defense and Security: An African Perspective. Paper Presented at the 

inter- Organisational Seminar on Conflict Research and Techniques, Abuja, 14 June, 
Abuja: Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution.  

Chrismam, Laura. (2014). Nationalism and Postcolonial Studies. Neil Lazarus (Ed) The 
Cambridge Companion to Postcolonial Literary Studies. (pp.183-198). Cambridge: 
UP.  

Dzurgba, A. (2006), Prevention and Management of Conflict, Ibadan: Loud Books. 
Ezeibe, C.C. (2009). Inter-Religious Conflicts and Crisis of Development in Nigeria: Who 

Benefits? International Journal of Research in Arts and Social Sciences,  1. 
Galeotti, M. (2019). Armies of Russia’s War in Ukraine. Elite 228. Oxford: Osprey 

Publishing,31-32 
Galtung, J. (1969). “Violence, Peace and Peace Research” A Journal of Peace Research, 

6(3).  
Gboyega, A. (2013). Democracy and Development: The Imperative of Local Governance. An 

Inaugural Lecture (pp 6-7). Ibadan: University of Ibadan.  
Makinda, Samuel M. (1998). Sovereignty and Global Security, Security Dialogue, Sage 

Publications, 29(3), 281-292. 
Perrigo, B. (2022). How Putin’s Denial of Ukraine’s Statehood Rewrites History. Retrieved 

10 November 2022. 
Ray, James Lee (2002). “Does Interstate War Have A Future?". Conflict Management and 

Peace Science. 19 (1), 53–80.  
United Nations Development Programme, UNDP. (2014). Human Development Report. New 

York: UNDP.  
Nwolise, O. B. C. (2016). Forensics and human security in Nigeria, the place of strategic 

spiritual intelligence strategic periscope. Ibadan: Exotic Dezines. 
Naomi, O. (1995). Towards an Integrated View of Human Rights. Hunger Teach Net, 6(3), 6-

7. 
Wiegrefe, K. (2022). “NATO’s Eastward Expansion: Is Vladimir Putin Right?” Retrieved 10 

November, 2022.  
 

IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH ( ISSN 2811-2466 )

Volume 06 | Issue 04 | April 2023 |                    http://www.ijojournals.com/index.php/ssh/index 10

https://www.jstor.org/stable/26273613

