The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has identified hunger and poverty as major social challenges fueling insecurity across Nigeria.

Speaking in Abuja on Monday at the 14th National Security Seminar organised by the Alumni Association of the National Defence College, Musa emphasised the need for a unified national approach to address these root causes.

Represented by the Chief of Defence Training at Defence Headquarters, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shetimma, the CDS said modern threats to security go beyond weapons and now include economic deprivation and food insecurity.

“Insecurity is no longer defined solely by the presence of arms and ammunition, but is now also rooted in economic deprivation, food insecurity, and social dislocation,” he said.
“Empowering the youth, enhancing livelihoods, promoting tolerance, and encouraging private investment are essential for building a secure and resilient nation.”

Also speaking at the event, Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru advocated for a human-centred security strategy to tackle the underlying drivers of conflict, such as unemployment, poverty, and social exclusion.

The seminar, themed “Combating Hunger and Poverty for Sustainable Peace and Development in Nigeria,” was held in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the National Defence College.

The session brought together stakeholders from the military, government, and civil society to deliberate on lasting solutions to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.