Nigeria’s COAS says 2m security personnel inadequate to protect over 200m citizens
Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has articulated a significant concern regarding the adequacy of security personnel in Nigeria.
He stated that it is unrealistic to expect the current number of security operatives to effectively protect a population exceeding 200 million people. This assertion highlights a critical gap between the available security resources and the vast population that requires protection.
The COAS, who was represented by the Chief of Army Training, Sanni Mohammed highlighted the military’s heavy reliance on imported defence equipment due to the country’s weak industrial base.
According to General Lagbaja, Nigeria’s security agencies comprise approximately two million personnel. This total includes an army with just over 100,000 active members and no reserve force. The disparity between this number and the population size raises serious questions about the effectiveness of national security measures. The COAS emphasized that relying solely on these personnel to secure such a large populace is not feasible.
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General Lagbaja pointed out several challenges impacting the operational performance of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN). One major issue is inadequate funding, which he noted has been a persistent problem affecting military capabilities. In 2023, the AFN had a budget of about $2.8 billion, supplemented by an additional one billion dollars; however, not all allocated funds were fully released. This financial constraint directly impacts equipment holdings and overall military performance.
Moreover, there is a heavy reliance on imported defense equipment due to Nigeria’s weak industrial base, with over 90% of military needs being sourced from abroad. This dependence limits local production efforts and undermines self-sufficiency in defense operations.
In his remarks, General Lagbaja stressed that national security should not be viewed as solely the responsibility of security agencies. He called for active citizen participation in ensuring safety and security within communities. He argued that fostering vigilance and community engagement can create a more resilient society capable of responding effectively to national emergencies.
He also highlighted that public apathy towards security issues contributes to vulnerabilities within society. By encouraging citizens to take an active role in their own safety, it may be possible to mitigate some risks associated with insufficient manpower among security forces.
In his remarks, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Egbewole stressed the importance of peace and security for sustainable development.
The event, organised 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, was held as part of activities marking the United Nations International Day of Peace.
