Hunger, Poverty Now Security Threats – Defence Minister, CDS, NSA Push Human-Centred Solutions at National Seminar
Hunger, Poverty Now Security Threats – Defence Minister, CDS, NSA Push Human-Centred Solutions at National Seminar
Hunger, Poverty Now Security Threats – Defence Minister, CDS, NSA Push Human-Centred Solutions at National Seminar
By Ayshatu S. Rabo
In a compelling call for a shift in Nigeria’s security strategy, the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Muhammed Badaru, has advocated a human-centred approach to national security, focusing on addressing root causes such as unemployment, poverty, and social exclusion.
Speaking at the opening of the 14th National Security Seminar held in Abuja on Monday, Badaru said that in today’s borderless security environment, a collective and inclusive approach is vital to achieving peace and development.
The seminar, themed “Combating Hunger and Poverty for Sustainable Peace and Development in Nigeria,” was organised by the Alumni Association of the National Defence College (AANDEC), in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Defence College (NDC).
“Security challenges today go beyond the battlefield. Hunger, poverty, and social neglect are fuelling unrest,” the minister declared. “We need a whole-of-society response that tackles the root causes, not just the symptoms.”
Badaru commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to improving the living conditions of Nigerians and lauded the Armed Forces for their bravery and evolving strategies in responding to modern threats.
The Minister said the seminar provides a strategic platform for national introspection and practical dialogue, adding that sustainable security can only be achieved when peacebuilding is rooted in social and economic justice.
Also speaking at the event, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, described hunger and poverty as “catalysts for insecurity,” urging a multi-dimensional strategy that addresses the structural causes of violence and unrest.
Represented by Maj.-Gen. Peter Mala, Director of Defence Affairs at ONSA, Ribadu said, “Poverty and hunger fuel a cycle of violence. To break it, President Tinubu’s administration has prioritised agricultural reforms, social investments, and security initiatives.”
He noted ongoing efforts to coordinate kinetic and non-kinetic measures among security agencies, while emphasizing the need for deeper, long-term solutions to youth disenfranchisement and unemployment.
Adding a military perspective, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, stressed that hunger and poverty have graduated from social issues to national security concerns.
“Insecurity is no longer just about weapons. Economic deprivation, food insecurity, and dislocation now pose grave threats,” said Musa, who was represented by Rear Adm. Ibrahim Shetimma, Chief of Defence Training.
He cited Benue State once known as Nigeria’s food basket as an example of how conflicts and displacement have devastated agricultural output and undermined national stability.
Gen. Musa advocated urgent investment in grassroots agriculture, making a passionate case for repositioning farming as a noble and profitable profession to discourage rural-urban migration and boost food production.
“The Armed Forces, in synergy with other agencies, remain committed to building a Nigeria where peace, livelihood, and democracy thrive,” he stated.
Retired Air Commodore Darlington Abdullahi, President of AANDEC, highlighted the crucial role of civilian contributions to national security, especially in social investment and inclusive development.
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He underscored the strategic risks of ignoring poverty, warning: “The children of the poor you fail to train today will not let your children sleep tomorrow.”
Abdullahi called for increased investment in education, economic empowerment, and vocational training especially for widows and children of fallen heroes as a means to build resilience and reduce the allure of violence.
The seminar brought together security experts, policymakers, and civil society actors, all united in the call for a national security strategy that goes beyond military solutions to address the human dimension of Nigeria’s challenges.
Hunger, Poverty Now Security Threats – Defence Minister, CDS, NSA Push Human-Centred Solutions at National Seminar
