The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has emphasized the importance of prioritizing non-kinetic strategies to achieve sustainable security while reducing economic strain.

He stated that relying solely on military action has limitations, as evolving security threats require more holistic approaches.

The Speaker who was speaking at a workshop on advancing non-kinetic measures to address insecurity and terrorism in Nigeria, held in Abuja on Monday, highlighted Nigeria’s significant financial commitment to security over the years, noting that between 2008 and 2018, $16 billion—over 10% of the federal budget—was allocated to defence.

He said In 2020, security accounted for 16.8% of the national budget, and in 2024, N3.25 trillion, or 12% of the budget, has been earmarked for defence and security. While these figures show the scale of investment, he stressed the need to redirect resources toward critical sectors like education, healthcare, and infrastructure to address the root causes of insecurity.

Tajudeen noted that Nigeria faces complex security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, and organized crime, which are deeply rooted in social and economic inequalities. Over-reliance on force risks addressing symptoms rather than underlying issues.

Marija Peran, Resident Representative of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), stressed the importance of non-kinetic approaches, stating that military action alone cannot resolve Nigeria’s complex security issues.

She emphasized that sustainable peace requires addressing the economic and social factors driving insecurity.