Introduction: A call for a holistic security strategy
Nigeria’s security landscape remains multifaceted, stretching beyond the traditional remit of the police. While targeted reforms within the police force are debated, security experts and political groups argue that addressing threats such as terrorism, banditry, economic instability, and community violence requires a comprehensive national strategy. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) recently warned President Bola Tinubu against a cosmetic approach to these challenges, urging policymakers to look beyond surface changes and to implement sustainable, cross-cutting solutions.
The ADC’s stance: Not a cosmetic fix
The ADC contends that merely rebranding or shuffling security agencies will not resolve Nigeria’s deep-seated vulnerabilities. The party’s critique centers on the withdrawal of police presence from VIP protection and the broader governance framework that determines security priorities, funding, and oversight. By criticizing a “cosmetic” approach, the ADC emphasizes that effective security requires integrated action across federal and state lines, informed by evidence, community engagement, and robust accountability mechanisms.
Key security challenges that go beyond policing
While the police are often the most visible actors in Nigeria’s security narrative, several challenges demand a broader, multi-institutional response:
- terrorism and insurgency: Violent extremist groups continue to pose threats in various regions. Counterterrorism requires intelligence sharing, border management, and community-led interventions alongside policing.
- banditry and organized crime: Armed groups operating across rural and peri-urban areas undermine safety, disrupt livelihoods, and destabilize local governance structures.
- economic insecurity: Unemployment, poverty, and inequality can fuel unrest. Security strategies must align with economic development and social protection programs.
- border and maritime security: Nigeria’s coastlines and land borders demand coordinated efforts to curb smuggling, trafficking, and illicit finance that finance violence.
- governance and rule of law: Corruption, weak institutions, and lack of accountability erode public trust in security forces and impede effective responses to threats.
What a holistic approach might look like
Experts and political actors propose several elements for a more comprehensive security framework:
- institutional reform: Strengthen the capacity, oversight, and civility of all security agencies, ensuring clear roles and avoiding role overlap that can create gaps or redundancies.
- community-centered policing and intelligence gathering: Build trust with communities, deploy community liaison officers, and use civilian-military collaboration to gather actionable intelligence.
- socio-economic development: Link security policy with job creation, education, and social safety nets to reduce the drivers of violence.
- regional and international cooperation: Enhance information sharing with neighboring countries and regional blocs to tackle cross-border threats.
- accountability and transparency: Establish independent mechanisms to monitor security operations and real-time feedback loops with citizens.
Implications for policy and leadership
The ADC’s warning underscores a broader question about Nigeria’s approach to security leadership. A sustainable solution requires political will to allocate resources, reform institutions, and adopt a whole-of-society strategy. If the administration heeds these calls, Nigeria could move toward stabilizing volatile regions, reducing civilian harm, and restoring public confidence in government efforts to protect citizens.
Conclusion: Toward durable security reforms
Security in Nigeria cannot be solved by policing alone. The ADC’s cautions illuminate the path forward: a holistic framework that threads governance, economy, and justice with defense and policing reform. As Tinubu and his administration weigh policy options, the emphasis should be on systemic change rather than cosmetic adjustments. A durable security architecture will require collaborative action across all levels of government, civil society, and regional partners, with the ultimate aim of safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and the rule of law.
