“If we must secure our communities, we must do it together”: Co-creation of crime prevention and security governance in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Developing partnerships between the state, the police, and local communities to prevent crime is increasingly recognized as valuable by security researchers and actors. Yet their effectiveness is undermined by a range of factors, particularly socio-political and institutional. Utilizing qualitative investigation, this study evaluates the specific forms of politics andstrategies being used to confront insecurity in Lagos with the involvement of various actors. The study explores why co-production in Lagos exists and what can be done, and by whom, for co-creation to thrive in the city. What the Lagos experience teaches is that crime reduction through co-creation is more likely to emerge and endure. This is the case even in a political landscape, where police power is centralized around the presidency and an executive bureaucracy, especially if there is a viable socio-economic case, such as when crime rates are high and the police lack capacity and numerical strength to fight crime or, worse, when the state provides security to some groups but not to others. Despite the many challenges, findings show that co-creation of crime prevention exemplifies many successes. The limitations on co-creation opportunities are noteworthy and will require significant political and institutional support moving forward.