Nigeria’s Insecurity Crisis: Is National Dialogue the Answer? A Critical Look

The call for a national dialogue to tackle Nigeria’s persistent insecurity isn’t new. Professor Abdulrasheed Nallah, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, recently added his voice to this growing chorus, highlighting banditry, religious intolerance, and fractured community relations as key areas needing attention. He suggests that Nigerians must decide “enough is enough” and foster unity, urging citizens to see each other as equals, irrespective of ethnic origin.

Nallah’s perspective isn’t isolated. Many Nigerians express similar anxieties about national cohesion and the escalating violence. Yet, simply convening a dialogue, while seemingly a step in the right direction, presents its own challenges.

The professor’s prescription of citizens coming together to solve internal issues holds some weight. Nigeria’s history is riddled with instances of external actors, with their own agendas, attempting to mediate internal conflicts. The consequences, more often than not, favor the outsiders. There’s a growing recognition that sustainable solutions must originate from within.

Still, the suggestion to ignore external influences entirely seems idealistic. In a globalized world, complete isolation is impossible, and perhaps even detrimental. The key lies in discerning genuine assistance from exploitative interference.

One point that particularly resonates involves the need to understand and integrate marginalized communities. Nallah proposes a census of those living in forests and bushes, aiming to include them in the national project. This suggestion could foster a sense of belonging among individuals who may feel disconnected from mainstream society. However, implementing such a census in insecure environments will not be easy. Accessing these populations presents serious logistical and security hurdles. What is more, there’s a very real risk that some groups may resist being counted for various reasons.

It’s also worth noting Nallah’s emphasis on Ilorin as a model of religious harmony and tolerance. Having spent some time there myself, I’ve witnessed the relatively peaceful co-existence of diverse groups. However, extrapolating Ilorin’s experience to the entire nation requires caution. Each region possesses unique socio-cultural dynamics, and what works in one place may not necessarily translate seamlessly elsewhere.

The repeated calls for national unity often gloss over the complex realities of Nigeria’s ethnic and religious diversity. While unity is certainly desirable, imposing a superficial sense of harmony without addressing underlying grievances risks exacerbating existing tensions. Genuine unity requires acknowledging and addressing the historical injustices and power imbalances that fuel conflict.

Past national dialogues in Nigeria have had mixed results. Some have led to positive reforms, while others have been dismissed as mere talking shops. The success of any future dialogue hinges on the government’s willingness to genuinely listen to the concerns of all stakeholders and to implement the agreed-upon resolutions. A crucial ingredient is ensuring inclusivity, including representatives from marginalized communities, civil society organizations, religious groups, and the private sector.

This challenge of insecurity is complex. It goes beyond simply convening a national dialogue. It demands a multi-faceted approach involving improved governance, economic empowerment, education, and a reformed security sector.

It’s easy to call for dialogue, but more difficult to create the conditions for it to be genuinely productive. What we need is less rhetoric and more action, with concrete steps taken to address the root causes of insecurity and to build a more just and equitable society for all Nigerians.

For example, one area often overlooked is the role of land disputes in fueling conflicts. Clear land tenure policies and effective dispute resolution mechanisms are essential for preventing and resolving these conflicts. Similarly, addressing youth unemployment and providing opportunities for education and skills training can help to reduce the vulnerability of young people to recruitment by criminal and extremist groups.

Given these facts, the Nigerian government must prioritize good governance, accountability, and the rule of law. Corruption and impunity undermine public trust and create an environment in which insecurity can thrive. Strengthening law enforcement agencies and ensuring that they are held accountable for their actions is essential for restoring confidence in the government’s ability to protect its citizens.

The key takeaway here is that dialogue, while potentially helpful, cannot be a substitute for decisive action. It must be part of a broader strategy that tackles the underlying causes of insecurity and promotes inclusive development. Otherwise, it risks becoming another exercise in futility.

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Keywords: Nigeria insecurity crisis, national dialogue Nigeria, religious intolerance Nigeria, community relations Nigeria, marginalized communities Nigeria, land disputes Nigeria, youth unemployment Nigeria, good governance Nigeria