Luka, Ruth CalebAliegba, Eugene T.Ohiani, Bello2023-12-142023-12-142019-03-04Luka, C.L. et. al. (2019). The Legal Implications of the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Nigeriahttps://keffi.nsuk.edu.ng/handle/20.500.14448/6807The study examined the legal implications of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria. The proliferation of SALWs has become a most immediate security threat to individuals, states and nation states globally. Efforts were made to curb these arms proliferation, at the national level, regional and global level. The main objective of the study was to analyse the legal implications of arms’ proliferation in Nigeria. The study employed the secondary method of data collection, the secondary source made use of documented materials from text books, journals, amongst others. The elite theory as postulated by Mosca and Pareto was used as the theoretical underpinning. In the analysis, the problem with Nigeria is not that of lack of good policies/good laws, but that of lack of proper implementation and enforcement. This research found out that Nigeria failed to implement the laws relating to arms’ proliferation as expected. Laws ranging from the UNPoA (United Nations programme of Action) the Bamako protocol, the ECOWAS convention, the Nigerian fire arms act of 1959 and so on, of which Nigeria is a signatory are not properly implemented and enforced. The study concluded that signing of international treaties without proper implementation is an effort in futility. A successful resolution of the SALW conundrum in Nigeria requires a holistic approach that addresses the underlying factors creating the demand for SALW and the sources of supply, rather than treating the SALW problem as an independent or a compartmentalised issue. Furthermore, because armed violence is also a socio­ economic issue, there is a much larger group of stakeholders and appropriate responses beyond law makers and law enforcers.enArms, Small Arms, Light weapons, Legal, Implications, Proliferation, Security.Article