*General Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, asserts insecurity is no longer defined solely on the presence of arms and ammunition, but is now also rooted in economic deprivation, food insecurity, social dislocation, stressing the need to empower the youths and enhance the people’s means of livelihood

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Nigeria’s Defence authorities have identified hunger and poverty as serious social challenges largely responsible for the continuous national security threats being experienced in the country.

General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), stated this Monday, June 23, 2025, at the 14th National Security Seminar organised by the Alumni Association of the National Defence College, in Abuja, FCT.

The theme of the seminar was 鈥淐ombating Hunger and Poverty for Sustainable Peace and Development in Nigeria”.

General Musa, represented at the seminar by Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shetimma, Chief of Defence Training at the Defence Headquarters, advocated a unified national approach to combat hunger and poverty besides the timely reporting of suspicious movements in the communities.

The Chief of Defence Staff also said: 鈥淚nsecurity is no longer defined solely on the presence of arms and ammunition, but is now also rooted in economic deprivation, food insecurity, social dislocation.

鈥淚ndeed, empowering the youths, enhancing livelihood, promoting tolerance and encouraging private investment are critical blocks in constructing a secure, resilient nation.”

Speaking at the forum, Mohammed Badaru, Minister for Defence, advocated the need for human-centred security approaches capable of addressing the root causes of insecurity, including unemployment, poverty, and social exclusion.

The Alumni Association of the National Defence College organised the seminar in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Defence College, according to report.