…Calls for unity, stronger institutions to combat global fragility.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Musa has sounded the alarm over the worsening state of Nigeria’s national security, attributing the deepening crisis to terrorism, climate change, cyber threats, and geopolitical instability.
Speaking at the University of Ibadan on Thursday, July 24, 2025, during a public lecture titled “Global Fragility and Security Management in Nigeria,” General Musa cautioned that growing global fragility has direct consequences for Nigeria’s security environment.
He explained that conflicts in regions such as Libya and the Sahel have led to the proliferation of small arms and extremist ideologies, now fuelling domestic terrorism and banditry in Nigerian communities.
In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Musa underscored that the interconnectedness of the modern world means instability in one area can quickly affect others, leaving Nigeria exposed to layered threats and persistent insecurity.
He pointed to environmental degradation, especially the shrinking Lake Chad Basin, which has displaced millions and heightened competition for land and water resources in the country’s northern corridor. Musa said the resulting pressures have deepened conflicts between border communities and spurred internal migration, adding to Nigeria’s security challenges.
The CDS also identified rising non-traditional security risks, including state-sponsored cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and economic shocks linked to global conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war. These, he noted, have contributed to inflation, food insecurity, and growing public frustration.
Outlining ongoing government efforts, Musa said Nigeria is restructuring its security framework through a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach. Measures include deploying advanced technologies like drones and artificial intelligence for intelligence-led operations, establishing cyber commands, reinforcing partnerships with ECOWAS and the Multinational Joint Task Force, and promoting community-based security through traditional and civic structures.
He acknowledged persistent obstacles, including porous borders, weak governance in rural areas, an influx of illicit arms, and the influence of external narratives and conditional arms agreements. To address these, Musa called for systemic solutions grounded in four strategic pillars: strengthening core institutions such as the judiciary and security services, empowering youth through agriculture and entrepreneurship, enhancing grassroots resilience, and deepening international cooperation.
General Musa appealed to academic institutions to take a more active role in shaping the national security agenda, urging the University of Ibadan to drive research, foster strategic thinking, and mentor leaders equipped to navigate complex security realities.
“The University of Ibadan, as a centre of intellectual leadership, must continue to contribute to the national security discourse through research, dialogue, and mentorship of future leaders,” he said.
He reiterated the unwavering loyalty of the Nigerian Armed Forces to the constitution and their commitment to collaborating with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and other stakeholders to stabilise the country.
“Security is not merely the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice, opportunity, and hope,” Musa added.
The lecture, chaired by former Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (represented by Lt. Gen. Lamidi Adeosun), was attended by senior military officials, academics, civil society leaders, and students. Dignitaries present included the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, and GOC 2 Division Major General OG Onubogu.
A highlight of the event was the conferment of a Fellowship on General Musa by the TETFund Centre of Excellence in Security Management, recognising his strategic contributions to national defence.
