Insecurity in Nigeria encompasses a broad spectrum of threats to the safety, stability, and well-being of its citizens. It manifests in various forms, including but not limited to, economic instability, food shortages, financial crises, and physical threats to personal safety. These insecurities permeate every aspect of life for Nigerians, from rural villages to urban centers, affecting individuals, families, businesses, and the nation as a whole.
Which Insecurities Are Really Affecting Nigeria At The Moment?
In Nigeria, various forms of insecurity plague the populace, with significant impacts on their daily lives. This article will delve into four primary aspects of insecurity that currently affect Nigerians: physical, economic, financial, and food security.
- Physical Insecurity: This involves threats to personal safety, such as violent crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and communal clashes.
- Economic Insecurity: Economic instability leads to high unemployment rates, poverty, inflation, and a lack of access to basic necessities.
- Food Insecurity: This occurs when people lack consistent access to nutritious food, either due to poverty, conflict, or environmental factors.
- Financial Insecurity: Financial instability includes issues like inflation, currency devaluation, and inadequate social safety nets, leaving individuals vulnerable to economic shocks.
Are Nigerians Really Safe?
Despite efforts by the government and security agencies, many Nigerians still feel unsafe in their daily lives. The prevalence of crime, including armed robbery, banditry, and insurgency, continues to instill fear and uncertainty among citizens. Additionally, economic challenges exacerbate feelings of insecurity, as job opportunities dwindle, and the cost of living rises.
Nigerians Cry for Help
The plight of Nigerians affected by various insecurities has led to widespread calls for urgent intervention. Citizens demand that the government address root causes, provide essential services, and implement policies to safeguard their well-being.
How Startups and Businesses are Being Affected
Startups and businesses face significant challenges in navigating Nigeria’s insecure environment. Inconsistent policies, corruption, and inadequate infrastructure hinder entrepreneurial growth and discourage investment. Moreover, the prevalence of insecurity disrupts supply chains, increases operating costs, and undermines business confidence.
Government’s Intervention and What Should Be Done
The Nigerian government has implemented various initiatives to address insecurity, including security operations, economic reforms, and social welfare programs.
On food insecurity
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, alongside various organizations, including the National Assembly, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, and Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, are urging for increased efforts to combat food insecurity in Nigeria. This call came at the conclusion of a two-day retreat focused on food fortification, workforce nutrition, and food systems transformation. The communique highlighted the detrimental impact of insecurity and rising food prices on food production, distribution, and workforce efficiency. It also emphasized the need for a comprehensive workforce nutrition policy and identified gaps in existing food system and nutrition policies. Recommendations included revisiting the National Food Safety Bill, developing a Food Fortification Bill, and raising public awareness on workforce nutrition through evidence-based campaigns.
Physical Insecurity
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Nigeria is contemplating the implementation of state police across its 36 states to bolster the efforts of its national police force, grappling with rampant violence and insecurity, according to the country’s Information Minister. Challenges such as an Islamist insurgency in the northeast, kidnappings for ransom, clashes between farmers and herders in the central belt, and separatist and gang violence in the southeast have strained Nigeria’s police force.
In response to the escalating insecurity, President Bola Tinubu convened a meeting with state governors to address the issue, recognizing its impact on farmers and its contribution to soaring food prices and inflation. Following the discussions, both federal and state governments reached a consensus on the necessity of establishing state police forces, marking a significant departure in strategy, as stated by Information Minister Mohammed Idris.
This marks the first time that Nigeria’s federal and state authorities have aligned on the establishment of state police to supplement the existing national police force, which currently comprises over 300,000 officers in Africa’s most populous nation. However, Nigerian Police Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun highlighted last year that an additional 190,000 officers were required to adequately secure the country, emphasizing that the force falls short of the United Nations’ recommended ratio of one police officer per 450 citizens.
Some states, notably Lagos, with annual budgets comparable to those of small African countries, have long advocated for the establishment of their own state police forces, arguing that it would enhance their capacity to tackle insecurity. Nevertheless, Ikemesit Effiong of risk consultancy SBM Intelligence cautioned that merely expanding the police force may not address the root issues. Effiong emphasized the need for a fundamental shift in policing philosophy, moving away from a focus on retribution and state control towards emphasis on investigation and crime prevention.
Economic Insecurity
Nigeria, with its diverse population and political landscape largely influenced by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), faces significant economic and social challenges including insecurity, insurgency, and separatist movements. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who assumed office in May 2023, has pledged to address these issues and revitalize the economy.
Economic growth between 2000 and 2014 was robust but declined from 2015 to 2022 due to various factors including policy distortions, fiscal deficits, and external shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic. High inflation and sluggish growth have increased poverty levels. However, the new administration has initiated reforms to restore stability, such as removing fuel subsidies and liberalizing the exchange rate. These reforms, coupled with favorable global oil prices, are expected to improve economic conditions, with projected growth of 3.4% by 2025.
Despite being Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria struggles with limited opportunities, high poverty rates, and spatial inequality. Infrastructure gaps and weak state capacity further exacerbate these challenges. Recent reforms provide an opportunity for a new social compact focused on strengthening macroeconomic fundamentals, enhancing public services, and fostering a conducive environment for private sector growth.
To combat economic insecurity, the government should focus on:
- Sustaining reform momentum to restore macroeconomic stability.
- Addressing spatial inequality by investing in underperforming regions.
- Strengthening state capacity to improve service delivery and security.
- Bridging infrastructure gaps to facilitate economic integration.
- Mitigating the impact of extreme weather events, particularly in vulnerable areas.
- Promoting job creation and entrepreneurship to absorb the growing labor force.
By implementing these measures, Nigeria can transition to a more inclusive and sustainable growth path, marked by improved living standards and opportunities for its citizens.
Financial Insecurity
In Nigeria, financial insecurity looms large amidst a backdrop of socio-economic challenges and political dynamics dominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC). President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in office since May 2023, faces the task of addressing economic vulnerabilities alongside various forms of insecurity. Despite past growth, economic progress has faltered due to policy distortions and external shocks like COVID-19, leading to high inflation and stagnant growth. To combat financial insecurity, the government must sustain economic reforms, address regional disparities, bolster security and governance, invest in infrastructure, tackle climate change, and promote entrepreneurship and job creation. Through these measures, Nigeria can foster resilience and chart a path toward sustainable growth for its citizens.
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However, more needs to be done to tackle the root causes of insecurity comprehensively. This includes:
- Enhancing Security: Strengthening law enforcement agencies, improving intelligence gathering, and enhancing border security to combat crime and terrorism effectively.
- Investing in Agriculture: Promoting sustainable agriculture practices, providing support to smallholder farmers, and investing in irrigation infrastructure to enhance food production and security.
- Economic Reforms: Implementing policies to stimulate economic growth, attract investment, and create jobs, particularly in sectors with high potential for job creation such as technology, agriculture, and manufacturing.
- Social Safety Nets: Expanding social welfare programs to provide assistance to vulnerable populations, including cash transfers, food subsidies, and healthcare services.
- Promoting Entrepreneurship: Creating an enabling environment for startups and businesses to thrive through access to finance, business support services, and regulatory reforms.
Insecurity in Nigeria is a complex and multifaceted crisis that requires urgent attention and concerted efforts from all stakeholders. Addressing the root causes of insecurity, including poverty, unemployment, and social inequality, is essential to creating a safer and more prosperous Nigeria for all its citizens. By prioritizing security, economic development, and social welfare, Nigeria can overcome its current challenges and build a brighter future for generations to come.
