At the 14th National Security Seminar held in Abuja, Nigeria’s top security and defence officials raised a stark alarm: hunger and poverty have escalated into major drivers of insecurity, undermining peace, cohesion, and development across the country.
The seminar, themed “Combating Hunger and Poverty for Sustainable Peace and Development in Nigeria,” brought together leaders from the military, intelligence, and policy spheres to address the root causes of Nigeria’s complex security crisis.
NSA Ribadu: Hunger Fuels Violence, Crime, and Disintegration
National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, in a message delivered by Maj. Gen. P.P. Mala, warned that poverty and food insecurity are now catalysts for radicalization and violence. He emphasized that the Tinubu administration is tackling these crises through agricultural reforms, social investment programs, and coordinated security efforts.
“Poverty leads to insecurity, and insecurity deepens poverty,” Ribadu stated, calling for long-term, inclusive solutions and reaffirming the need for synergy between kinetic (military) and non-kinetic (civil) approaches.
Defence Minister: Human-Centred Security is Key
Defence Minister Mohammad Badaru Abubakar called for a shift from military-first strategies to human-centred security, stressing that military might alone cannot ensure lasting peace.
“We must tackle unemployment, hunger, and exclusion through coordinated development,” he said, highlighting the administration’s focus on agriculture, vocational training, and social services.
CDS Musa: Food Insecurity Is the New Battlefield
Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa, represented by Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shetimma, stated that food insecurity has become a full-blown national security threat. He pointed to Benue State, once Nigeria’s food hub, as an example of how violence has crippled agricultural productivity.
Musa advocated for:
- Grassroots agricultural investment
- Access to credit for farmers
- Rebranding farming as a strategic profession
He praised President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its support for local government autonomy, which he believes will drive community-based development.
AANDEC President: Empowerment Equals Peace
Air Commodore Darlington Abdullahi (Rtd), President of the Alumni Association of the National Defence College (AANDEC), emphasized that social investment is critical to national stability.
“Hunger and poverty are not just humanitarian crises; they are strategic threats,” he said, stressing the need for vocational and leadership centres for widows and children of fallen heroes.
Seminar Conclusions
The seminar concluded with a call for a “whole-of-society” approach, integrating government, security agencies, civil society, and local communities in a united front against poverty, unemployment, and food insecurity.
Participants agreed: Nigeria’s path to sustainable peace lies not just in security operations, but in empowering its people—especially through education, agriculture, and economic inclusion.
