Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has emphasized the importance of state authority in security management, stating that peace negotiations that allow armed groups to retain their weapons can be counterproductive. He made this statement while delivering a lecture to participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course at the National Institute for Security Studies in Abuja.

The lecture, titled ‘Non-state Actors in Security Management: Issues, Challenges, and Prospects for Peace and Development in Africa – A Zamfara State Perspective’, was attended by officials from Nigeria’s security agencies and representatives from Chad, Ghana, Rwanda, Somalia, and Gambia. Governor Lawal took the opportunity to reflect on Zamfara’s experience with security challenges, which mirrors the broader issues faced by many African countries.

Over the past two decades, Africa’s security landscape has undergone significant changes, with non-state actors increasingly challenging the state’s monopoly on the use of force. Community vigilantes, civil defence groups, insurgents, bandits, and transnational criminal networks are among the groups that now contest the state’s control. According to Governor Lawal, this shift has significant implications for security management and development in Africa.

The governor’s comments come as many African countries struggle to address the challenges posed by non-state actors. In Zamfara State, the government has been working to address the root causes of insecurity, including poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to education. The state’s experience highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to security management, one that balances the need for military action with the need for social and economic development.

Governor Lawal’s lecture emphasized the importance of strengthening state authority and ensuring that peace negotiations do not undermine the rule of law. His comments are significant, given the ongoing debates about the role of non-state actors in security management and the need for effective solutions to Africa’s security challenges. As the continent continues to grapple with these issues, the experiences of states like Zamfara will be crucial in informing policy and practice.