Hunger and poverty have evolved into significant national security threats, according to Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa. This declaration was made at the 14th National Security Seminar, organized by the Alumni Association of the National Defence College in Abuja. The seminar aimed to address the critical issue of combating hunger and poverty for sustainable peace and development in Nigeria.
Gen. Musa emphasized the need for a unified national approach to tackle these challenges, which are increasingly impacting the country’s internal security. He highlighted that insecurity is no longer solely defined by the presence of weapons, but also by economic deprivation, food insecurity, and social dislocation. The North Central region, particularly Benue, once known as Nigeria’s food basket, has been severely affected by banditry, displacement, and farmer-herder conflicts, leading to devastating agricultural productivity losses.
The disruption of farming communities and illegal occupation of farmlands have contributed to food inflation, displacement, and mass migration, ultimately destabilizing the economy and national cohesion. Gen. Musa called on communities to deny criminals and terrorists sanctuary by supporting intelligence gathering, timely reporting, and community vigilance. He also urged for urgent investment in grassroots agricultural development and for the government and stakeholders to reposition farming as a noble and rewarding profession.
The migration of rural youth to urban centers has led to a decline in agricultural productivity, and Gen. Musa stressed the importance of making farming attractive again, not just as a means of survival, but as a national duty and prestigious calling. He praised President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its emphasis on financial autonomy for local governments, which is vital for responsive and community-driven development.
In his remarks, Retired Air Commodore Darlington Abdullahi, President of the Alumni Association, underscored the need for sustained investment in education, economic empowerment, and social inclusion as critical non-kinetic responses to Nigeria’s deepening insecurity. He emphasized that hunger and poverty are not only humanitarian crises but also strategic threats to national stability. Neglecting the socio-economic wellbeing of the population creates fertile ground for instability and extremism, and economic initiatives that foster inclusion and bring communities together can be effective tools for peacebuilding.
The seminar emphasized the importance of addressing hunger and poverty as national security threats, and the need for a unified national approach to tackle these challenges. By investing in education, economic empowerment, and social inclusion, Nigeria can create a more stable and secure environment, where every citizen can live in peace, engage in productive livelihood, and enjoy the dividends of democracy.
