In a democratic society, the role of the military is distinct and constitutionally defined, separating it from political governance.

For Nigeria, a country with a long history of military rule, establishing and maintaining appropriate civil-military relations is particularly crucial for the sustenance of its democracy.

Here are the key roles of the Nigerian military in a democratic society:

1. Defending Territorial Integrity and National Security (Primary Role):

   • External Defense: The core constitutional mandate of the Nigerian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force) is to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria from external aggression. This involves safeguarding its land, sea, and air borders.

   • Internal Security: While the police are primarily responsible for internal law and order, the military is often called upon to aid civil authorities in situations of severe internal unrest, insurgency (like Boko Haram), banditry, communal violence, or other crises that overwhelm the police force. This aid should always be at the invitation of the President and within strict constitutional limits, respecting human rights.

2. Subordination to Civilian Authority:

   • Constitutional Supremacy: In a democracy, the military must be unequivocally subordinate to the democratically elected civilian government. This means respecting the supremacy of the Constitution and the authority of the President (as Commander-in-Chief), the National Assembly (for legislative oversight and budget approval), and the judiciary.

   • Non-Involvement in Politics: The military should remain apolitical, refraining from interfering in political processes, electoral outcomes, or governance. Its loyalty is to the state and its constitution, not to any particular political party or leader. This is a critical aspect, given Nigeria's past military interventions.

3. Peacekeeping and International Security:

   • Regional and Global Missions: Nigeria has a proud history of contributing significantly to international peacekeeping operations, particularly in Africa (e.g., ECOMOG missions in Liberia and Sierra Leone, various UN and AU missions). This role enhances Nigeria's diplomatic influence and contributes to regional and global peace and stability.

   • Humanitarian Operations Abroad: The military may participate in humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts in other countries, projecting Nigeria's soft power.

4. Aid to Civil Authority (Non-Combat/Emergency Roles):

   • Disaster Relief: During natural disasters (floods, epidemics), the military can provide crucial support in terms of logistics, emergency services, medical aid, search and rescue operations, and distribution of relief materials.

   • Infrastructure Support: In some cases, the military's engineering corps may assist in building critical infrastructure, especially in remote or difficult terrains, or during emergencies. However, this should not replace the work of civilian contractors or ministries.

   • Special Operations: Carrying out specialized intelligence work for the government to alert it to potential threats.

5. Professionalism and Human Rights:

   • Professional Conduct: The military is expected to maintain high standards of professionalism, discipline, and training, focusing on its core defense and security mandates.

   • Respect for Human Rights: Crucially, even when deployed for internal security, the military must adhere strictly to human rights principles and the rule of law. Abuses, extrajudicial killings, and excessive use of force, which have unfortunately occurred in Nigeria's past, undermine the military's legitimacy and public trust.

   • Public Perception: A key aspect of a healthy civil-military relationship is fostering trust and cooperation between the military and the civilian population, rather than a perception of the military as an oppressive force.

Challenges and Desired Evolution:

Nigeria's military has a complex legacy, having ruled the country for decades. This history has led to:

• A "Militarized" Political Space: The long years of military rule have influenced Nigerian political culture, sometimes leading to a perception that the military is a legitimate actor in governance or a potential "savior" when civilian rule falters.

• Human Rights Concerns: The military's involvement in internal security operations has often been marred by accusations of human rights abuses, which strain civil-military relations.

• Corruption: Like many other public institutions, the military has also faced issues of corruption, which can affect its operational effectiveness and public image.

For Nigeria's democracy to truly consolidate, the military's role must continue to evolve, moving completely away from its past political interventions and focusing solely on its constitutional duties under civilian control, while upholding the highest standards of professionalism and human rights. This requires continuous training, legislative oversight, and a commitment from both military and civilian leadership to maintain a clear separation of roles.