Military action alone won’t solve insecurity issue – Experts
The virtual symposium, hosted via Microsoft Teams, convened a cross-section of academic, security, and policy experts to interrogate the structural deficiencies fueling insecurity in Nigeria. Moderated by veteran broadcaster and journalist Reuben Abati, the session provided a platform for a rigorous post-mortem of the country’s socio-political architecture, focusing on the intersection of family stability, institutional integrity, and the erosion of public trust in the state.
The Institutional Crisis: A Theoretical Framework
The keynote address was delivered by Professor Attahiru Jega, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Jega posited that the current security climate in Nigeria is not merely a product of kinetic failure, but a manifestation of systemic institutional decay. According to Jega, institutions serve as the bedrock of social order, providing the necessary guidance for millions to navigate daily life while channeling the collective aspirations of the populace into state policy.
Jega articulated a sobering analysis of state fragility: "When institutions fail to perform their core functions, they create a vacuum that is inevitably filled by alternative, often predatory, systems of authority." He highlighted the proliferation of cybercrime and rural banditry as evidence of the misuse of human intelligence in a landscape lacking robust regulatory frameworks. Furthermore, he noted that the rise of "jungle justice"—where citizens take the law into their own hands—is a direct indictment of the government’s failure to provide an accessible and efficient judiciary and policing system.
Statistical Realities and Security Spending
The event took a sharp turn toward empirical analysis as Dr. Charles Omole, a prominent security analyst, presented data reflecting the disconnect between the state’s fiscal expenditure and the reality on the ground. Despite the Federal Government’s significant budgetary allocations to the security sector, including a proposed N5.4 trillion for the Ministry of Defence in the 2026 fiscal cycle, the humanitarian cost of insecurity remains staggering.
Data presented during the session indicated that over 3.7 million Nigerians are currently internally displaced (IDPs) as a direct consequence of armed conflict and communal violence. Dr. Omole argued that budgetary volume does not equate to security efficacy. "We are seeing record-high allocations that are not being mirrored by a corresponding reduction in violent incidents," he stated. He advocated for a paradigm shift that prioritizes peace-building initiatives, localized youth empowerment programs, and the professionalization of internal security intelligence over conventional military hardware acquisition.
Beyond the Barrel of the Gun: Neglected Drivers of Instability
While much of the public discourse on Nigerian security focuses on military intervention, the panel highlighted several under-reported variables that contribute to social fragmentation. Dr. Boluwaji Omabolu provided a critical perspective on the nexus between environmental health and national security. She identified water scarcity and the collapse of sanitation infrastructure as "silent drivers" of instability.
According to Dr. Omabolu, the inability of the state to provide basic amenities such as clean water has crippled education and healthcare delivery, particularly in marginalized communities. When a family is unable to meet basic physiological needs, the domestic unit—the fundamental building block of society—begins to fracture. This loss of household stability makes vulnerable populations, particularly the youth, more susceptible to recruitment by non-state armed groups. The implication is clear: national security cannot be decoupled from the state’s performance in providing public utilities.
The Crisis of Legitimacy and Governance
The lecture also addressed the critical issue of public trust, which serves as the lubricant for any functioning democracy. Dr. Osahon Enabulele, a vocal advocate for governance reform, underscored that the legitimacy of the Nigerian state is currently at its lowest ebb. He traced this decline to persistent leadership failures and the perceived lack of accountability within public institutions.
Dr. Enabulele emphasized that the electoral process remains the primary interface between the citizen and the state. "If the electoral process is perceived as flawed, the subsequent government lacks the moral authority to command the trust of the governed," he noted. The consensus among the panelists was that the current insecurity in Nigeria is a symptom of a deeper "legitimacy deficit." Rebuilding this trust requires not just cosmetic changes, but profound reforms that prioritize transparency, electoral integrity, and an uncompromising commitment to the rule of law.
Chronology of the Nowa Omoigui Memorial Lecture
The Nowa Omoigui Memorial Lecture has evolved into a significant fixture in the Nigerian intellectual calendar, serving as a tribute to the late Dr. Nowa Omoigui, a renowned military historian, physician, and public intellectual. Known for his meticulous research into Nigerian military history and his advocacy for strategic reform, the lecture series has consistently sought to bridge the gap between academic theory and national policy.
- 2024: The inaugural series focused on the history of the Nigerian military and its evolution since independence.
- 2025: Discussions shifted to the role of technology in governance and the modernization of public institutions.
- 2026: The current edition represents a pivot toward a more holistic, multidisciplinary approach, acknowledging that security is not solely the preserve of the military but a byproduct of functional family systems and social welfare.
Implications for Future Policy
The 2026 lecture serves as a clarion call for the Nigerian government to move away from purely kinetic responses to security. The implications of the findings are multifaceted:
- Institutional Strengthening: There is an urgent need to insulate regulatory bodies and security agencies from political patronage to restore public confidence.
- Economic Empowerment: As suggested by the panelists, the N5.4 trillion defense budget must be scrutinized to ensure that a portion is redirected toward economic stability and youth development, which are the primary deterrents against crime.
- Family-Centric Social Policy: Policy frameworks must recognize the family unit as the first line of defense against radicalization and social deviance. Strengthening the family requires improved economic conditions and access to essential services.
- Decentralized Security Solutions: The recommendation for peace-building initiatives suggests that the federal government must adopt a bottom-up approach to security, empowering local authorities to mediate disputes before they escalate into full-blown conflicts.
Conclusion: A Path Forward
As the virtual event concluded, the consensus among the speakers and participants was unequivocal: Nigeria is at a crossroads where the state’s ability to "hold the centre" is being tested by both external threats and internal erosion. The solutions proposed—ranging from the reform of the electoral process to the provision of basic sanitation—are complex and require sustained political will.
The Nowa Omoigui Memorial Lecture has successfully framed the insecurity debate within the context of governance and social cohesion. By shifting the focus from military hardware to the strengthening of civil society and public institutions, the stakeholders have provided a roadmap for a more resilient Nigeria. The challenge now lies in the translation of these intellectual contributions into concrete legislative action and executive policy. If Nigeria is to emerge from its current security malaise, it must rebuild the institutions that protect its citizens, nurture the families that raise its youth, and restore the trust that binds the nation together.
