The National Security Adviser to the president (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, have identified hunger and poverty as major threats to Nigeria’s national security. At a national security seminar in Abuja, both leaders emphasized that poverty and food insecurity are fueling violence and crime. They praised President Tinubu’s efforts to tackle these issues through agricultural reforms, social investments, and increased law enforcement support.
Gen. Musa called for a national approach to tackle poverty, citing how violence and displacement in the North-Central region, especially Benue State, have hurt food production. He encouraged community support for intelligence gathering and proposed making farming attractive to youth. He also endorsed local government autonomy to enhance grassroots development and economic inclusion.
Defence Minister Mohammad Abubakar emphasized human-centred security by addressing the root causes of insecurity such as unemployment, social exclusion, and hunger. He stressed that lasting peace requires coordinated economic and social strategies. He praised the Tinubu administration’s agricultural and vocational efforts and urged for a broader security approach that includes psychological and environmental well-being.
Finally, the event highlighted international cooperation, especially with Belarus, which supplied the tractors and provided training. Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Karenkevich lauded the partnership as a sign of strong ties and readiness to move into further phases of the project. The mechanisation drive is expected to cultivate 550,000 hectares, create 16,000 jobs, and benefit over 550,000 households, marking the largest agricultural initiative in Nigeria’s history.
