Governance expert and founding Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, said Nigeria’s long term stability depends on inclusive governance, stronger representation of women in leadership and transformational leadership, warning that poverty, exclusion and weak institutions pose threats to national security comparable to armed conflict.
Igbuzor spoke on Thursday while delivering a special address at the Inclusion and National Security Summit 2026 in Abuja.
He argued that Nigeria’s worsening security challenges cannot be resolved through military force alone, stressing that poverty, inequality, exclusion, weak institutions and the marginalisation of women and young people have become major drivers of instability across the country.
According to him, sustainable national security requires addressing the underlying conditions that fuel insecurity, including unemployment, corruption, injustice and the erosion of public trust in institutions.
The governance expert called for a shift from a state centred approach to security to a human centred framework that prioritises the welfare, opportunities and protection of citizens.
“Inclusion is security. Justice is security. Good governance is security. Women’s empowerment is security. Youth opportunity is security. Credible elections are security. Strong institutions are security. Development is security,” he said.
Igbuzor maintained that economic deprivation should not be viewed solely as a development issue but also as a security concern, warning that widespread hardship combined with perceptions of inequality could deepen resentment and social instability.
He said government must tackle poverty and exclusion with the same level of commitment devoted to combating terrorism, banditry and other security threats, noting that lasting stability can only be achieved when citizens have access to opportunities, justice and meaningful participation in governance.
The summit focused on advancing women’s leadership for inclusive governance and security, with participants highlighting the importance of broader citizen participation in strengthening democratic institutions and national cohesion.
