By Aisha Maikudi Abdulkadir
Top security and defence officials have warned that poverty and hunger have become critical drivers of insecurity in Nigeria, escalating violence, social disintegration, and undermining national cohesion.
The alarm was raised at the 14th National Security Seminar in Abuja, themed “Combating Hunger and Poverty for Sustainable Peace and Development in Nigeria.”
National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, in a message delivered by Maj. Gen. P.P. Mala, Director of Defence Affairs, stated that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is aggressively addressing the crisis through agricultural reforms, social investment programs, and strategic security interventions.
“Hunger and poverty are not merely social concerns; they are catalysts for insecurity, crime, and social disintegration. They form a vicious cycle—poverty leads to insecurity, and insecurity deepens poverty,” Ribadu noted.
He emphasized that the Tinubu-led government is prioritizing initiatives to support food security, law enforcement capacity, and rural development. The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), he said, continues to coordinate both kinetic and non-kinetic efforts involving the Armed Forces, intelligence services, and civil stakeholders.
Despite ongoing interventions, Ribadu acknowledged that issues such as unemployment, disenfranchisement, and food insecurity remain persistent. He urged for innovative, inclusive, and long-term strategies to combat them.
‘Lasting Peace Demands Human-Centred Security’ — Defence Minister
Defence Minister, Alhaji Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, echoed the NSA’s concerns, stating that sustainable peace is unattainable without addressing the socio-economic vulnerabilities fueling unrest and radicalization.
“This administration’s strategic focus on agriculture, vocational training, and social services is already transforming lives. But military solutions alone are insufficient—we must tackle unemployment, hunger, and exclusion through coordinated, long-term development,” he said.
Badaru urged the adoption of a human-centred approach to national security, calling for a “whole-of-society” effort to tackle the root causes of violence.