Nigeria’s National Security Summit Sparks Criticism as Waste of Time and Resources
A former member of the House of Representatives, Prof. Haruna Yerima, has expressed strong reservations about the upcoming National Security Summit, dismissing it as a futile exercise that will yield no tangible results. This statement comes on the heels of the Federal Government’s declaration of full support for the summit, as announced by the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru. Yerima, a prominent figure in the ruling All Progressives Congress, believes the planned two-day security summit will merely serve as a platform for lamentations and fruitless discussions, rather than providing concrete solutions to the country’s pressing security challenges.
Yerima cited the example of a previous national security summit held in 2021, under the leadership of Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, which he claimed achieved nothing. Four years later, the proposals from that summit remain unimplemented, gathering dust on government shelves with no significant legislative follow-ups. The former lawmaker argued that what Nigeria needs is not more talk, but decisive action to address the rampant insecurity. He emphasized the need for a clear political will, a robust intelligence gathering network, inter-service synergy, and a well-trained and equipped security force to effectively combat the threats posed by bandits, insurgents, secessionists, and communal warriors.
Furthermore, Yerima stressed that the National Assembly has a critical role to play in holding security chiefs and other appointees accountable through its oversight functions. He urged the legislative body to utilize its constitutional powers to investigate why the security situation has not improved despite the substantial funds allocated to defence and security over the past decade. The professor also expressed his concern that another summit would only serve to frustrate Nigerians, who are desperate for action, not empty words. He said, “What Nigerians want is action, not a tea party. They have had enough of terror unleashed by these non-state actors across the country daily. They simply want an end to it.”
In the wake of recent attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in various areas, including Marte Rann, Gajiram, and Dikwa, Yerima condemned the violence and offered condolences to the victims. However, he asserted that the security summit would not put an end to these attacks, and that a new strategy and commitment from the armed forces are necessary to bring about meaningful change. He urged the National Assembly to take concrete steps to ensure that the country’s security architecture is effective, by providing the necessary training, motivation, and equipment to the security forces, as well as holding security chiefs accountable for their performance. Ultimately, Yerima’s comments highlight the need for a more proactive and results-driven approach to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges, rather than relying on summits and discussions that yield little tangible progress.
