The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has urged government institutions, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to build stronger partnerships, trust and consensus as part of measures to tackle Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.
Oluyede made the appeal on Wednesday in Abuja during the Royal College of Defence Studies Alumni Association Nigeria Chapter Summit, which focused on the theme, “Rebuilding Alliances, Trust and Consensus as Panacea for Tackling the Menace of Insecurity in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Prospects.”
Represented by the Chief of Defence Training at the Defence Headquarters, Rear Admiral Abolade Ogunleye, the Defence Chief described the summit’s theme as relevant, stressing that cooperation and confidence among key actors remained crucial to strengthening national unity and addressing insecurity.
He said, “The essence and timeliness of such an intuitively conceived, meticulously nurtured and diligently expressed idea is indeed very apt, especially considering that its central and pivotal role in international building cannot be overemphasised.
“Accordingly, allied trust and consensus between those in government, that is, the executive, the legislature and judiciary, the military, academia, traditional and religious institutions, the political class, civil society, youth groups amongst others is a synchronon for social cohesion and national integration.”
The Defence Chief emphasised that peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, regardless of tribe, race, ethnicity or religion, was vital to national development and unity.
He said these values could be promoted through institutions such as education, religion, sports and recreational activities.
He added that government had a duty to safeguard these principles from forces seeking to undermine them, noting that this responsibility aligns with Chapter Two of the 1999 Constitution, which outlines the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy.
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Oluyede called on governments at all levels to partner with civil society groups and individuals committed to national development by creating avenues for dialogue, trust-building and collective action against insecurity.
He said, “Governments in consensus with civil society groups, including public-spirited individuals and groups, should create platforms and an enabling environment for allies to come together to build trust in each other and agree on a plan to find a solution to end insecurity in Nigeria.”
The Defence Chief expressed confidence that Nigeria could overcome its security difficulties through a united approach, adding that the calibre of participants at the summit provided hope that workable solutions would emerge.
“I am particularly gratified, impressed and persuaded, considering the array of participants, that a panacea to Nigeria’s security challenge will be found and our challenges, even beyond insecurity, will be surmounted.
“This belief is anchored on the conviction that the ensuing roundtable discussion by panellists and other stakeholders will get to the root of our challenges and profile the way forward,” he added.
Speaking at the event, President of the RCDS Alumni Association, Nigeria Chapter, Major General Oluwaseun Oshinowo (retd), identified the absence of elite consensus as one of the country’s major challenges.
Oshinowo said insecurity over the past two decades has continued to threaten Nigeria’s national unity, economic growth, democratic institutions and social stability.
He noted that although significant attention had been placed on military and law enforcement measures, lasting peace required broader strategies beyond the use of force.
“It calls for renewed efforts in building trust among the nation’s political, economic, traditional, religious, and intellectual elites, whose collective leadership is essential for fostering unity, promoting inclusive governance, and building public confidence,” he said.
Oshinowo further stressed that leaders across different sectors of the country play key roles in shaping policies, influencing decisions and determining security outcomes in their communities and areas of influence.