Abuja: A former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai, has issued a stark warning that Nigeria faces escalating insecurity and national instability unless it addresses the growing ethnic, religious, and social divisions within the country. Agwai articulated these concerns during a lecture titled ‘Knowledge, Power and National Security in the 21st Century: Nigeria in Perspective,’ delivered at the 10th Anniversary celebration of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Agwai expressed concern over the increasing prioritization of ethnic, religious, and sectional identities over national unity among Nigerians. He highlighted that while traditional communal conflicts have subsided, new forms of division and distrust are emerging, creating fertile conditions for insecurity. “We have gradually become a nation of so many nations. Most of us now take our ethnic groups, our religious groups and our social affiliations above the nation. That is why we are facing what we are facing,” Agwai stated. He lamented the violence being perpetuated in the name of unseen causes and emphasized the urgency of addressing these divisions.
Agwai pointed to Nigeria’s ongoing challenges, including the resurgence of Boko Haram, as evidence of weak intelligence management. He stressed that intelligence gaps lead to knowledge gaps, which in turn hinder effective military responses. The retired general criticized the poor coordination and competition among security agencies, which often delays timely responses to threats.
Highlighting the financial impact of cybercrime, Agwai revealed that Nigeria’s financial institutions have lost over N1.1 trillion to cyberattacks over the past seven years. He also warned of the dangers in the Gulf of Guinea, noting that piracy continues to threaten Nigeria’s trade and oil economy. Agwai called for significant investments in digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cyber forensics, and modern data architecture to combat these threats.
Agwai further noted the need to prioritize human capital, research and development, and defence industrial capacity, citing his experience in revitalizing the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) to near full functionality as evidence of Nigeria’s potential. He cautioned that Nigeria’s rapid population growth, if not matched by economic expansion, would exacerbate insecurity, poverty, and youth vulnerability.
He advocated for a comprehensive national security roadmap involving federal, state, and local governments, academia, and civil society. In his remarks, retired Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, former Chief of Army Staff and founder of NARC, expressed his vision for the centre to develop knowledge-based solutions to national security challenges and commended the leadership for their dedication and innovation.