ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the critical role of the Nigerian military in peace and democracy in Nigeria as well as the extent to which its role has impacted on the nation’s economic and political prosperity. Indeed, peace and democracy in Nigeria are directly connected to the Nigeria military as the military has been part and parcel of shaping the politics of the society particularly from the position of control in military regimes or of influence at different times in the civilian government of the country. The Nigeria military over the years has been involved in the socio-economic and political development of the nation. Of all the military leaders in post-independence Nigeria, only Major General Olusegun Obasanjo and General Abdulsalami Abubakar scheduled and implemented transition programmes. The Nigerian military has continued to contribute to peace and democracy beyond the threshold of its constitutional role of protecting the territorial integrity of the country.
