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government took steps to demonstrate its commitment to structural reform of social maladjustment and corruption. Initially uniformed men played both supervisory and enforcement roles of the tenets of WAI, but with criticism of the lack of input from the community, in order to give a civilian face to the enforcement of the War
Against Indiscipline, the WAI brigade was launched. There were three levels of WAI: the first were primary school students called the Vanguard, the second were secondary school students called the Crusaders, and the third were those above the age of eighteen years who were called Patriots.
87:. Support for a coup that would correct the excesses of political class was growing. When the military took control of the government, they established measures to impose order and discipline within the country. One of those measures was the War Against Indiscipline, a comprehensive program to correct many social ills that the new military ruling class perceived to afflict Nigeria. Earlier corrective measures were specific in scope; for instance, public unity schools with student population from all over the country were founded in different states to promote a national feeling, the
169:. This phase led to the ubiquitous presence of the national flag in public offices and the singing of the national anthem in schools. However, like the program in general, critics attacked the measure because those failing to recite the national anthem were given unusual punishments, such as civil servants being suspended without pay, while public policies like federal character and out of state school fees were still in effect.
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uniformed men were present to enforce queuing. But this had vocal critics, who felt that it was a simple attempt to cure a deeper problem caused by scarcity in the major cities. Controlling queues when serious food shortages existed was seen as failing to meet the needs of the people. In addition, it was defined as a national malaise, even though most towns and rural areas where not chaotic and disorderly as the urban areas.
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The organizational structure of the program had federal and state level committees. Each state managed its own program and made monthly reports about its progress. The
Ministry of Information was in charge of the administration at the federal level, within the ministry was a WAI department headed by
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program to clear refuse and illegal structures. The phase earned many critics as a result of the displacement of street hawkers and vendors. The War
Against Indiscipline was initiated during a period of economic downturn when people were struggling to earn money; the displacement derailed street
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that were critical of corruption and mismanagement of the economy in the previous administration began panning the WAI campaign and accusing military officials of engaging in abusive practices under the cover of fighting indiscipline. Others viewed the measure as an exhortation from the military
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In television advertisements to promote phase two, contrasting scenarios were created such as an office worker doing her nails while the phone rang and another worker quietly asleep during office hours. These situations were contrasted with a hardworking baggage handler and an efficient traffic
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The first phase was launched on the same day as the program. The phase concerned the desire of the government to instill orderliness and respect for fellow
Nigerians. Instead of chaotic boarding of buses or jumping lines, Nigerians were told to queue and to wait their turn. At some locations,
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Acknowledging that indiscipline and degeneracy within the political class had climbed unprecedented heights, the War
Against Indiscipline, a comprehensive and controlled corrective measure was announced. The primary goals of the measure were to strengthen national unity, promote economic self
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Previous measures were ad-hoc steps limited in scope, but a similar measure was establishment towards the end of 1983. This measure, called 'ethical revolution', was viewed more as a propaganda weapon, and when the government announced WAI, it was originally met with skepticism. The military
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sufficiency and instill cultural, personal, and moral discipline so as to control indolence, corruption, and criminal practices. The military government showed commitment to the success of the plan; decrees were announced that imposed harsh punishments for crimes and vagrancy.
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vendors' means of employment. An austere economic policy initiated by the government gave legitimacy to critics who view the administration as similar to the previous one, not understanding the depth of the country's social and economic problems.
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and instead to be open minded in making decisions. Practices that raised cultural consciousness in clothing, food and everyday purchases were also a major target of phase III. Nigerians were asked to appreciate national symbols such as
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with the aim of correcting social maladjustment. The program began in March 1984 and was in effect until
September 1985. It was broader in scope than previous measures; it aimed to attack social maladjustment and widespread
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a director, and this department was advised by a central WAI committee. The program was launched in schedules and meant to be continuous. Advertising and the media were used as constant means of promoting its tenets.
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officials to obtain foreign currency, and government-supported hoarding of rice. Government officials and the political class lived in luxury, while the civilian administration began a
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was unprecedented, rampant corruption and indiscipline within the political class. Prior to the coup, newspapers wrote articles alleging corrupt practices within the
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to much fanfare. The military government of which
Idiagbon was a member had seized power on December 31, 1983, and a key underlying reason given for the
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Agbaje, Adigun; Adisa, Jinmi (March 1988). "Political education and public policy in
Nigeria: The war against indiscipline (WAI)".
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command at the top to the people below. The program was gradually discontinued after a military coup deposed Major-General
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Launched on August 27, 1984, phase III was designed to promote genuine national unity. Nigerians were asked to forgo
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had a goal to serve a similar purpose, and
Operation Feed the Nation was established to promote self sufficiency.
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administration, including fraud in the housing ministry and external communications agency, bribes given to
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Phase IV was launched in
January 1985 and was a measure to tackle specific criminal activities such as oil
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This phase was launched with the goal of cleaning private and public environment. It included a
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The Nigerian Government is Overthrown. (1999). Great Events (p. 1171). US: Salem Press.
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MILITARY INTERVENTION IN NIGERIAN POLITICS: What Has The Press Got To Do With It?
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63:, the Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters and the launch event was held at
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as an attempt to manage truancy, lateness, laziness and to improve
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The War Against Indiscipline was announced in March 1984 by
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control officer. The phase was appropriately launched on
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The Journal of Commonwealth & Comparative Politics
293:"NIGERIA'S DISCIPLINE CAMPAIGN: NOT SPARING THE ROD"
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231:Emenyeonu, Bernanrd (October 1997). "6".
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173:IV: Corruption and criminal activities
27:program in Nigeria, organised by the
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291:May, Clifford D. (10 August 1984).
36:. By July 1985, newspapers such as
235:(Thesis). University of Leicester.
16:Nigerian mass mobilization program
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337:1984 establishments in Nigeria
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89:National Youth Service Corps
357:Military history of Nigeria
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269:10.1080/14662048808447529
95:War Against Indiscipline
21:War Against Indiscipline
189:, and drug peddling.
181:, pipeline tampering,
29:military dictatorship
193:V: War against filth
187:counterfeit currency
65:Tafawa Balewa Square
51:'s military regime.
342:Political campaigns
317:Military of Nigeria
163:the national anthem
158:tribal affiliations
148:III: National unity
352:1984 introductions
347:Society of Nigeria
327:Culture of Nigeria
297:The New York Times
25:mass mobilisation
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332:Muhammadu Buhari
322:1980s in Nigeria
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127:II: Work ethic
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118:I: Orderliness
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263:(1): 22–37.
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142:productivity
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77:Central Bank
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43:The Guardian
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206:WAI brigade
311:Categories
215:References
199:sanitation
138:work ethic
55:Background
34:corruption
185:, fraud,
183:smuggling
179:bunkering
85:austerity
167:the flag
154:statism
38:Concord
113:Phases
81:policy
23:was a
134:May 1
165:and
156:and
140:and
69:coup
40:and
19:The
265:doi
83:of
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261:26
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241:^
223:^
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