ABUJA – The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, have declared that hunger and poverty are now major catalysts fueling insecurity, violence, and social disintegration across Nigeria. They made this statement on June 23, 2025, during the 14th National Security Seminar organized by the Alumni Association of the National Defence College in Abuja.
The NSA, represented by Major General PP Mala, stated that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is prioritizing agricultural reforms, social investment programs, and security sector interventions to break the cycle of poverty and insecurity. These efforts include increased support for food security initiatives, enhanced law enforcement capacity, and infrastructure development to support agricultural production and distribution.
The CDS, represented by Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shetimma, called for a unified national approach to combatting hunger and poverty, stressing their growing impact on Nigeria’s internal security. He noted that insecurity is no longer solely defined by weapons but also by economic deprivation, food insecurity, and social dislocation. He cited the North-Central region, particularly Benue State, as an example of how banditry, displacement, and farmer-herder conflicts have devastated agricultural productivity.
Defence Minister Alhaji Mohammad Abubakar echoed these sentiments by advocating for human-centred security approaches to address the root causes of insecurity, including unemployment, poverty, and social exclusion. He emphasized that military solutions alone cannot fully address the complexities of today’s security challenges, calling for a coordinated, multi-sectoral, and sustained approach.
In a related event, President Bola Tinubu launched the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanisation Programme, commissioning 2,000 tractors for nationwide deployment. The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s agriculture sector by modernizing farming practices and ensuring national food security. He described the initiative as a landmark moment in his administration’s food security agenda and a crucial part of efforts to empower farmers and stimulate rural development.
The 2,000 tractors and accompanying implements will be distributed nationwide through a service-provider model to support smallholder farmers, reduce manual labor, and increase yields. The program is expected to cultivate over 550,000 hectares of farmland, produce more than 2 million metric tons of staple food, create over 16,000 jobs, and directly benefit over 550,000 farming households. The initiative also includes mandatory operator training, GPS-enabled tracking for accountability, a structured repayment model, and pro bono equipment allocations to research and training institutions.
