The Federal Government of Nigeria has inaugurated a 33-member committee to review the 2019 National Security Strategy and develop a new framework for addressing emerging security threats. The committee was inaugurated in Abuja by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. He urged the committee members to produce a comprehensive, realistic, and actionable document that reflects the country's changing security environment. The new strategy aims to address various security challenges facing the nation.
According to Ribadu, Nigeria's domestic, regional, and global security landscapes have changed significantly since the last review in 2019. This change necessitates a reassessment of the country's security priorities. The National Security Adviser identified terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cyber threats, misinformation, economic challenges, food insecurity, and environmental problems as some of the threats the new strategy must address. These threats have become a major concern for the Nigerian government.
The National Security Strategy 2026 will provide an overarching framework for coordinating national security, resilience, and sustainable development in Nigeria. Ribadu stated that the strategy must reflect the country's current realities, anticipate future disruptions, and directly support the realization of national objectives. This is in line with the President's Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in the areas of human security, economic transformation, and national cohesion. The strategy aims to address the country's complex security challenges.
Ribadu urged committee members to engage relevant institutions and stakeholders in developing a strategy that can be effectively implemented. He assured them that the Office of the National Security Adviser would provide the necessary administrative, technical, and logistical support to ensure the successful completion of the assignment. The committee's chairman, Major General Sarkin Bello (Rtd.), represented Ribadu at the inauguration ceremony. The committee has a critical role in developing a new security strategy.
The committee's deputy chairman, Major General Emeka Onumajuru (Rtd.), highlighted the evolving nature of security threats. He stressed the need for a comprehensive strategic realignment to address the country's complex security challenges. Onumajuru noted that conventional security challenges had become increasingly intertwined with non-kinetic threats such as cyber vulnerabilities, economic challenges, food insecurity, and climate change. The new strategy must address these challenges.
Onumajuru emphasized the need for a forward-looking approach to address the country's security challenges. He stated that the National Security Strategy 2026 must be an inclusive, forward-looking, and highly actionable blueprint. The strategy must go beyond reactive measures to address the country's security challenges. This approach will ensure that the strategy is effective in addressing the country's security needs.
The inauguration of the committee marks a significant step towards developing a new national security strategy for Nigeria. The committee has a critical role in developing a comprehensive and realistic strategy that reflects the country's changing security environment. The National Security Strategy 2026 aims to provide a framework for coordinating national security, resilience, and sustainable development in Nigeria.
Key points
- The Federal Government inaugurates a 33-member committee to review the 2019 National Security Strategy and develop a new framework to address emerging security threats.
- The new strategy aims to address various security challenges facing Nigeria, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cyber threats, and economic challenges.
- The National Security Strategy 2026 will provide a framework for coordinating national security, resilience, and sustainable development in Nigeria.
