This study investigates the correlation between government expenditure on defense and battle-related deaths in Nigeria, analyzing data from 2000 to 2022. Despite significant defense spending, Nigeria continues to experience high levels of insecurity, with incidents of violence, kidnappings, and terrorist activities persisting across the country. Utilizing a correlational model, the research explores the connection between defense spending and conflict fatalities, revealing a strong positive correlation between these variables. The findings suggest that while increased defense budgets aim to address security issues, they have not resulted in the anticipated reduction in battle-related deaths, potentially due to resource misallocation, corruption, and a focus on militarized approaches rather than addressing the root causes of conflict. Additionally, external factors, such as regional instability and the proliferation of arms, may exacerbate insecurity despite increased spending. These results underscore the need for a comprehensive strategy that balances defense spending with socioeconomic investments to address underlying factors driving insecurity. The study recommends shifting some resources toward conflict prevention, community policing, and initiatives that promote social cohesion, aiming to achieve a sustainable reduction in violence.
Keywords: Government Expenditure, Insecurity, Nigeria, battle-related deaths, conflict prevention, defense spending, regional instability, socio-economic investment, sustainable development goals.
