CORRUPTION, GOVERNANCE QUALITY AND NATIONAL SECURITY OUTCOMES IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA, 2015 - 2025

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between corruption, governance quality, and national security outcomes in Benue State, Nigeria, between 2015 and 2025. Despite democratic consolidation at the national level, Benue State has experienced persistent security challenges, raising concerns about governance institutions and public resource management. The study is anchored on Institutional Theory and the Human Security paradigm. A quantitative survey design was adopted, with a structured questionnaire administered to 400 respondents selected from ministries, security agencies, and civil society organizations using the Taro Yamane formula. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. Findings indicate that corruption has a significant negative effect on national security outcomes (β = -0.412, p < 0.05), while governance quality shows a significant positive influence (β = 0.386, p < 0.05). The joint model explains 54.7% of the variation in security outcomes (R² = 0.547, p < 0.001). The study concludes that improving governance quality and strengthening anti-corruption mechanisms are critical to enhancing national security in Benue State.