At a high-level National Security Seminar in Abuja on June 23, NSA Mallam Nuhu Ribadu declared that hunger and poverty have escalated from mere social challenges to direct drivers of insecurity, fueling crime, violence, and societal breakdown . He emphasized that poverty and insecurity form a vicious cycle—each worsening the other—and highlighted President Tinubu’s administration’s efforts to disrupt this cycle through agricultural reform, social investment, and enhanced security measures .
Ribadu, speaking via Major General Peter Mala, noted that the Office of the NSA is coordinating a mix of military and civilian efforts to tackle these interlinked challenges. However, persistent issues like unemployment, hunger, and disenfranchised youths require deeper and more enduring solutions .
Echoing these concerns, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa—represented by Rear Adm. Ibrahim Shetimma—stressed the urgency for a unified national response. He warned that deprivation and food instability now pose as significant a threat as armed violence . He pointed to Benue State’s descent into banditry, displacement, and farm conflicts as a stark example of how hunger undermines national stability .
The CDS urged investments in grassroots agriculture, urging that farming be made a dignified and rewarding profession. With rural-to-urban migration clouding the future of food production, he advocated access to credit, infrastructure, and market links to reinvigorate the sector . He also praised President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” for reinforcing local government autonomy to support community-driven development .
In addition to the military’s stance, Defence Minister Alhaji Mohammed Badaru endorsed a people-centred security strategy that targets root causes like poverty and exclusion . He called for a “whole-of-society” initiative involving government bodies, agencies, and civil society to foster sustainable peace .
Moreover, Air Commodore (Retd.) Darlington Abdullahi of the National Defence College Alumni warned that neglected poverty creates a fertile ground for radicalisation. “The children of the poor you fail to train will never let your children have peace,” he remarked, underscoring the need for investment in education, economic opportunities, and social inclusion .
Nigeria’s top security chiefs have sent a resounding message: hunger and poverty are now national security threats. From agriculture to education, a coordinated, community-focused response is imperative to break this cycle and safeguard peace.
