By Oghenefejiro Emado
04, April 2026
Former Chief of Defence Staff, Lucky Irabor, has delivered a scathing critique of Nigeria’s security crisis, describing it as the single greatest threat to the country’s survival.
He actually made the assertion at the 2026 Maris Annual Public Lecture at Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, Delta State Capital
In a keynote address, Irabor argued that the roots of the crisis lie in unresolved political grievances and historical divisions that have festered for decades, rather than just criminality.
He emphasized that insecurity has undermined Nigeria’s unity and progress, striking at the heart of the country’s two most precious aspirations. Irabor noted that Nigeria’s federal character, designed to manage diversity, is being eroded by insecurity, which has deepened divisions and fueled separatist rhetoric, farmer-herder clashes, and resource-control grievances.
The former military chief highlighted the devastating impact of insecurity on Nigeria’s progress, citing statistics that show progress in only 34.6% of key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators, with food insecurity doubling since 2015 and reaching 69.7% of the population. He emphasized that insecurity has led to stagnation or regression in achieving SDGs, including No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.
Irabor called for a national reconciliation policy, stressing that security interventions alone are insufficient without deliberate efforts to heal longstanding wounds.
He recommended enhanced coordination of response agencies, deployment of technology-enhanced surveillance, expansion of social protection programs, reform of policing systems, and promotion of civic education and inclusive governance to strengthen national cohesion.
He also emphasized the need for a forum for national reconciliation among federating entities and measures to address the growing drift in moral values among youths through inclusive economic empowerment models.
Irabor thanked the organizers of the lecture for providing a platform for debate and knowledge sharing, saying it has become a crucial forum for distilling the best ideas and knowledge to tackle Nigeria’s challenges.
