By Our Correspondent
Former Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has called for a fundamental rethink of Nigeria’s security architecture, saying contemporary threats require stronger institutions, better governance and greater collaboration among security agencies, government, communities and other stakeholders.
Egbetokun, who spoke at the 20th International Conference and General Assembly of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP) at Lead City University, Ibadan, said security threats had become increasingly interconnected and could no longer be effectively addressed through traditional national security approaches.
The conference had the theme: “Security, Governance and Global Dynamics.”
Dr Egbetokun advocated “networked security” involving government, security agencies, international organisations, universities, the private sector, civil society and communities.
The retired IGP also called for a stronger focus on human security, stressing that food, employment, healthcare, education and protection from violence were essential to national security.
He advised on multi-level policing, stronger security research, evidence-based policing, improved intelligence sharing, responsible governance of cyberspace and stronger regional partnerships to tackle transnational crimes.
Egbetokun warned that “there is no military solution to a governance problem,” stressing that security without peace was temporary, while peace without good governance was illusory.
He urged Nigeria to prioritise prevention, early warning, community engagement, institutional capacity and public accountability in building a sustainable security architecture.
The Vice-Chancellor of Lead City University, Prof. Remi Adeyemo, in his address, also called for a broader approach to security that integrates good governance, justice, development, human rights and social inclusion.
Adeyemo said Nigeria and Africa faced complex challenges, including terrorism, cybercrime, climate-related conflicts, political polarisation and transnational crime.
Adeyemo stressed that security should focus on the safety and wellbeing of citizens, rather than military protection alone, warning that weak governance and lack of justice could fuel insecurity and erode public confidence in institutions.
He described SPSP as a major platform for advancing scholarship and practice in peacebuilding and conflict transformation over its 20-year history.
In his welcome address, the President of SPSP, Prof. Benjamin Aluko, said the international system was experiencing unprecedented uncertainty, prolonged violent conflicts, ethno-religious tensions, extremism and state fragility, alongside declining capacity of critical national and international institutions.
He said these developments had made security governance central to efforts to promote peace, justice, human rights, development and social order globally.
Aluko stated further the conference provided an important platform for scholars, policymakers, security practitioners and other stakeholders to examine the changing security environment and develop practical responses.
He stressed the need for stronger institutions and effective security governance to confront emerging threats and promote sustainable peace.
