Abstract

Human security is essential to any governance and it is not expected that democratic governance will fail in its responsibility to impact significantly on human security by tackling threats. On the contrary, in Nigeria the significant impact of democratic governance on human security in the fourth republic is perceived to be under threat. Besides, despite solutions proffered by extant related researches, the phenomenon has remain unresolved with its implications. This study investigates whether democratic governance has impacted significantly on human security, as well as examines the implications for nation-building and international image of Nigeria. The social contract theoretical propositions underpins this study. The study depends largely on quantitative research technique (QRT). The purposive sampling technique (PST) was employed to select a sample size of 200 comprising male and female Nigerians, and a self-designed Likert style rating scale measuring instrument was administered to elicit responses. This study findings revealed that human security threats are linked to the failure of democratic governance; it equally, shows that the impact of democratic governance on human security in Nigeria's fourth republic is low; and by implications, would continue to stimulate citizens distrust, disloyalty and separatists agitation for ethno-centric governance in Nigerian state. It recommends that except the Nigerian state embrace the principles of good governance while systemically building: trust, capacities, tracking crimes to transform conflict-habituated communities, human security threats will continue to thrive, nation-building will remain problematic and international image of Nigeria state will ebb.