Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has warned that hunger and poverty are no longer mere social challenges but have become national security threats in Nigeria.
CDS Musa made this known at the opening of the 14th National Security Seminar organised by the Alumni Association of the National Defence College (AANDEC) in Abuja, with the theme: “Combating Hunger and Poverty for Sustainable Peace and Development in Nigeria.”
“Insecurity today is not only defined by weapons but also by economic deprivation, food insecurity, and social dislocation,” Musa said.
“Hunger and poverty are no longer mere social challenges – they have become national security threats.”
Musa highlighted the devastating impact of banditry, displacement, and farmer-herder conflicts on agricultural productivity in the North Central region, particularly Benue State, which was once considered Nigeria’s food basket. “The disruption of farming communities and illegal occupation of farmlands contributed to food inflation, displacement, and mass migration, thereby destabilising both the economy and national cohesion,” he said.
The CDS called for a unified national approach to combating hunger and poverty, stressing their growing impact on Nigeria’s internal security. He urged communities to deny criminals and terrorists sanctuary by supporting intelligence gathering, timely reporting, and community vigilance.
“We must make farming attractive again—not as a last resort, but as a national duty and a prestigious calling,” Musa added. “We must invest in grassroots agricultural development and reposition farming as a noble and rewarding profession by enhancing access to credit, infrastructure, and market linkages.”
Musa praised President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its emphasis on financial autonomy for local governments, which he described as vital for responsive and community-driven development.
“I assure you, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in collaboration with other security agencies and with the support of the people, remain resolute in overcoming all security threats,” he said.
Retired Air Commodore Darlington Abdullahi, President of AANDEC, underscored the need for sustained investment in education, economic empowerment, and social inclusion as critical non-kinetic responses to Nigeria’s deepening insecurity.
“Hunger and poverty are not just humanitarian crises but strategic threats to national stability,” he said.
Abdullahi quoted the timeless wisdom that says “the children of the poor you fail to train will never let your children have peace,” stressing that neglecting the socio-economic wellbeing of the population creates fertile ground for instability and extremism.
“We must therefore invest in our people—especially in education, livelihoods, and skills development,” he said. “Economic initiatives that foster inclusion and bring communities together can be effective tools for peacebuilding. They create an atmosphere of stability and discourage violence.”
The AANDEC president advocated for the creation of a dedicated vocational and leadership development centre for widows and children of fallen heroes, describing it as a necessary step in empowering vulnerable populations and promoting national healing.
