South-East Security Vital to Nigeria’s Unity, Growth — Information Minister

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said that achieving lasting peace and security in the South-East is critical to Nigeria’s unity, economic growth, and democratic stability.

Idris stated this on Thursday at the 2026 South-East Regional Security Summit in Umuahia, Abia State, where he stressed that securing the region was essential to strengthening the nation as a whole.

“When the South-East is safe, Nigeria becomes stronger. When every region enjoys peace, our democracy flourishes. And when we stand together as one people with a common purpose, no force can diminish the promise of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

Speaking on the summit’s theme, “Collaborative Approaches to Strengthening Security and Regional Stability,” the minister said addressing insecurity requires a coordinated approach involving the federal and state governments, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, and citizens.

He reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to protecting lives and property through enhanced intelligence sharing, improved inter-agency collaboration, modern security equipment, and stronger international partnerships.

Idris added that the Federal Government was also investing in infrastructure, youth empowerment, education, digital skills development, and support for small businesses to address the socio-economic drivers of insecurity.

He urged Nigerians to reject misinformation and support ongoing constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening grassroots policing, including proposals for the establishment of state police.

“Peace is more than the absence of conflict. It is the presence of justice, opportunity, inclusion, and hope. We must unite to reject division and build communities founded on trust and shared prosperity,” he said.

Representing the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, assured participants that the National Assembly would continue to provide the legislative support needed to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

He stressed that sustainable security depends on collaboration among government, security agencies, traditional institutions, civil society organisations, and citizens.

“No nation has ever secured itself through isolated efforts alone. Security thrives where partnerships flourish,” Yar’Adua said.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, also called for stronger regional collaboration and institutional reforms to tackle evolving security challenges in the South-East.

“The time has come to move from dialogue to decisive action. Security cannot be achieved through force alone; it requires partnership, community trust, and shared responsibility,” Kalu said, adding that the House would continue to support legislative and constitutional reforms to strengthen national security.

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, described security as the foundation for sustainable development and economic prosperity, noting that no society can make meaningful progress in an atmosphere of fear and violence.

“We cannot allow this great land and its people to succumb to insecurity. Security is the bedrock upon which all our aspirations for development and prosperity rest,” Otti said.

The governor advocated increased investment in youth employment, improved intelligence sharing, and deliberate efforts to address the root causes of crime across the region.

Also speaking, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property through sustained investment in the Armed Forces and other security agencies.

“Security is not the responsibility of the Armed Forces or the Police alone. It is a collective duty that demands commitment from government, communities, and every patriotic citizen,” the minister said.

He added that ongoing investments in personnel training, modern equipment, intelligence gathering, and inter-agency cooperation were enhancing Nigeria’s capacity to respond effectively to emerging security threats.

The summit brought together senior government officials, lawmakers, representatives of state governors, traditional rulers, religious leaders, security chiefs, and other stakeholders from across the South-East to deliberate on strategies for strengthening regional security and stability.