Psychological Intervention in Nigerian Turbulent Environment

Abstract

Nigeria in the last few months has had her own bitter experience of civil unrest, in the various geopolitical zones. This paper 
explores how Psychologists can be of immense help in an uneasy environment like Nigeria, using content analysis. The paper 
discussed how Psychologists can contribute to the Military, by enhancing the troops ‘morale, trying to cater for their 
psychological needs, providing pedestal on which the troops can be trained and retrained, to emphasize efficiency and 
productivity. How Psychologists can enhance the recruitment and placement of personnel so that manpower can be optimally 
and efficiently deployed. On the side of the civil society, Psychologists can help to educate and point out their roles; which 
can be of help in combating the ugly situation, using psychological tools that will help people to be better aware of their 
environments and as such they can detect potential threats and contain it before it gets out of proportion. The paper further 
looked into how Psychologists can help directly or indirectly the victims of insurgency; by providing psychological support 
that will help victims suffer less from the severe pain and psychological trauma. The paper finally recommended, that more psychological  programmes should be incorporated into the Military and Psychological intervention centers should be established across  the country with provision of psychological instruments. Nigerian universities should undergo more psychological research 
and more Psychologists should be engaged into the Military.