Lagbaja Highlights Challenges of Securing Over 200 Million Nigerians with Limited Resources

Chief of Army Staff, General Taoreed Lagbaja, has underscored the challenge of expecting Nigeria’s security forces, numbering about two million personnel, to effectively safeguard a population exceeding 200 million.

General Lagbaja made these remarks during the 2024 Distinguished Personality Lecture in Ilorin, Kwara State, organized by the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies at the University of Ilorin, in collaboration with the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji.

The event was part of the United Nations International Day of Peace commemoration.

Represented by the Chief of Army Training, Sanni Mohammed, Lagbaja pointed out the military’s reliance on imported defense equipment due to limited industrial capacity within Nigeria.

He expressed concern over insufficient funding for the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), which has hampered operational efficiency.

“In a country of over 200 million people, it is unrealistic to expect around two million security personnel, including just over 100,000 active army members, to secure the entire population,” he said.

Lagbaja also highlighted that Nigeria imports more than 90% of its military equipment, stressing the overdependence on foreign suppliers despite local production efforts.

He revealed that in 2023, the AFN had a budget of approximately $2.8 billion, with an additional $1 billion in supplementary funds, but not all of the allocated budget was fully disbursed.

“Though funding for the AFN has improved since 2017, the economic downturn has reduced the value of the releases, affecting the AFN’s equipment holdings and impacting its overall performance,” Lagbaja explained.

Addressing the security personnel gap, Lagbaja emphasized the need for increased investment in expanding and strengthening Nigeria’s security forces to counter criminal elements. He also called for greater citizen involvement in national security efforts.

“National security requires every citizen’s involvement, fostering vigilance, trust, and community engagement to create a resilient populace better equipped to handle national emergencies,” he concluded.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Egbewole, also spoke at the event, stressing the importance of peace, security, and sustainable development.