Nigeria’s foremost security chiefs, political leaders, military commanders, legal experts, academics and public affairs commentators are set to converge in Abuja on Tuesday as First Daily hosts its National Dialogue on Security, a high-level forum aimed at generating practical and lasting solutions to the country’s growing security challenges.
The landmark dialogue, scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, is designed to provide a non-partisan national platform for frank, practical and solution-driven conversations on Nigeria’s security architecture.
Already, an impressive array of eminent personalities has confirmed participation, highlighting the national importance of the event.
Among them is the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, who will attend as the Special Guest of Honour and present a lead paper titled, “Governors as Chief Security Officers in Nigeria: The Bayelsa Example.”
The dialogue will be co-chaired by General Martin Luther Agwai (Rtd.), former Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Staff, and Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, a ranking senator and National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Also confirmed is the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, while the keynote address will be delivered by General Lucky Irabor (Rtd.), former Chief of Defence Staff and one of Nigeria’s most decorated military officers.
Other distinguished speakers expected at the event include former Inspector-General of Police, Sir Mike Mbama Okiro; former Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Colonel Milland Dikio (Rtd.); Executive Director, Operations and Technical, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Captain Warredi Enisuoh; retired military intelligence officer and security consultant, Major Lancelot Anyanya; lawyer and forensic expert, Dr. Yemi Onifade; Director of Gregory University, Uturu, Professor Yahaya Ndu; risk management specialist and security consultant, Mr. Onyekachi Adekoya; renowned legal practitioner and public affairs commentator, Mr. Frank Tietie; and frontline columnist and public affairs analyst, Mr. Mojeed Dahiru.
Speaking ahead of the event, the Publisher of First Daily, Dr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said the dialogue comes at a critical moment when Nigeria requires bold ideas, sincere engagement and collective action to confront its multifaceted security challenges.
He noted that insecurity has become one of the country’s most pressing concerns, requiring collaboration among governments at all levels, security institutions, political leaders, traditional rulers, civil society organisations and citizens.
According to him, the dialogue is anchored on the conviction that addressing insecurity demands a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.
Consequently, invitations have been extended to the nation’s highest security leadership, including the Minister of Defence, the Minister of State for Defence, the Minister of Interior, the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), as well as the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, and other service chiefs.
In keeping with the inclusive nature of the initiative, invitations have equally been extended to leading political figures and presidential hopefuls across party lines, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and other eminent national leaders.
The organisers have also invited leaders of Nigeria’s foremost socio-cultural organisations, including Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), PANDEF, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and other influential groups to contribute their perspectives to the national conversation.
Dr. Iworiso-Markson said the dialogue would bring together security experts, policymakers, traditional rulers, diplomats, civil society organisations, members of the media, academics, youth representatives and other stakeholders to critically examine the root causes of insecurity and chart practical pathways towards lasting peace, national stability and sustainable development.
He added that discussions would be frank, robust and solution-oriented, with participants expected to interrogate existing security policies, identify institutional gaps, propose workable reforms and recommend concrete measures to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
“First Daily believes that the time has come for meaningful national engagement that transcends political divides and places the security, unity and wellbeing of Nigerians above every other consideration,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to the distinguished speakers, partners and stakeholders who have identified with the initiative and assured participants that all logistical and security arrangements had been concluded for a successful event.
The National Dialogue is expected to attract serving and retired military officers, heads of security agencies, lawmakers, government officials, diplomats, traditional rulers, captains of industry, development partners, students, members of the diplomatic community and the media, making it one of the most significant national conversations on security to be hosted this year.