The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has called for a comprehensive reevaluation of Nigeria’s security management strategies in light of increasing global fragility. He made this known on Thursday while delivering the Second Distinguished Personality Lecture organised by the TETFund Centre of Excellence in Security Management (TECESM) at the Trenchard Hall of the University of Ibadan.
Speaking on the theme “Global Fragility and Security Management in Nigeria”, General Musa emphasized that Nigeria, being Africa’s most populous nation and a strategic player on the continent, cannot afford to ignore the ripple effects of global instability. “Fragile states are not isolated challenges; they are central to international peace and security,” he declared.
The Defence Chief emphasized on how the globalisation of conflict and instability now directly affects national security management, with Nigeria being especially vulnerable due to its porous borders, large population, and regional responsibilities. “This new era has brought about an increase in the ability for situations in fragile states to affect security management in other countries,” he said.
General Musa maintained that arms smuggling from conflict zones in the Sahel and North Africa has empowered insurgent groups, bandits, and criminal gangs across Nigeria, especially in the Northeast and Northwest regions. He noted that over 500 million illicit small arms are estimated to be in circulation in West Africa, with 40 percent reportedly finding their way into Nigeria.
In addressing these challenges, he called for a “whole-of-society approach,” stressing the importance of collaboration among security agencies, civil institutions, traditional leaders, and international partners. He noted that Nigeria’s national security framework, as captured in the National Defence Policy (NDP), promotes a multi-agency model for improved synergy and effectiveness.
On economic factors exacerbating insecurity, General Musa cited the war in Ukraine as a case study. The global disruptions in food and fuel supplies, he said, exposed Nigeria’s food system vulnerabilities, triggered inflation, and worsened youth unemployment conditions which often lead to increased criminal activity and recruitment into violent groups.
He also warned about the growing threat of cyber insecurity, where disinformation on social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook has incited ethnic tensions and communal violence. He pointed to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as an example of how digital platforms can influence internal dynamics, often with the involvement of hostile foreign actors.
Chairing the event was former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), represented by Lt. Gen. Lamidi Adeosun (rtd), who lauded TECESM for its timely engagement in national security discourse. He stressed the need for institutional reforms, border fortification, and professionalisation of security forces as Nigeria faces increasingly complex security challenges.
Earlier in his welcome address, Director of TECESM, Dr. Benjamin Aluko, described General Musa as the ideal speaker due to his vast operational experience and strategic insights into national and global security. Dr. Aluko noted that TECESM, newly renamed to reflect its core focus on early warning systems and security management, is committed to contributing to Nigeria’s peace and stability through research and academic training.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, expressed pride in hosting the high-level lecture, describing it as a significant stride toward bridging scholarship and practical security leadership. “Understanding the interplay between international fragility and Nigeria’s specific security realities is no longer optional, it is a necessity,” he stated.
