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ABUJA – Nigeria’s House of Representatives Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, has sounded a clear alarm. He warned that Nigeria porous borders security threats leave the nation dangerously exposed to external dangers emanating from the wider West African subregion. He delivered this critical assessment during a lecture at the National Defence College in Abuja.
Speaker Tajudeen asserted that Nigeria’s own security challenges cannot be effectively tackled in isolation from those plaguing its neighbors. He championed stronger regional collaboration, including practical steps like joint border patrols and activating ECOWAS standby force initiatives, to fortify West Africa.
Regional Instability Fuels Security Concerns
Abbas detailed how national security and a country’s ability to bounce back are increasingly influenced by volatile regional dynamics. These include persistent insurgencies across the Sahel. They also encompass political instability in nearby nations, widespread economic vulnerability, urgent public health emergencies, and the escalating impacts of climate change. “Yet, African societies consistently demonstrate adaptability, from post-conflict recovery in Rwanda and Sierra Leone to navigating economic hardship,” he acknowledged. The Speaker stressed that these interconnected issues, including the Nigeria porous borders security threats, demand a unified response.
Blueprint for National Resilience: Mitigation, Adaptation, Recovery
Speaker Tajudeen then presented a clear framework for bolstering national resilience. His proposed strategy integrates three vital phases: mitigation, adaptation, and recovery. “An effective resilience strategy follows three integrated phases: mitigation, adaptation, and recovery. Mitigation employs proactive measures… to reduce risks before they occur,” he elaborated.
He noted that Nigeria already has foundational policy documents. These include the National Disaster Management Framework and the National Security Strategy. Both mandate national preparedness and a coordinated ability to respond to crises, a key component when addressing Nigeria porous borders security threats.
Forging a Safer, Stronger Nation from Crisis
In his concluding remarks, the Speaker described national resilience and national security as two pillars that reinforce each other. He stated these are essential for confronting the major challenges of the 21st century. “By preventing what it can, preparing for what it cannot prevent and recovering swiftly from unavoidable shocks, Nigeria can ensure each crisis becomes an opportunity to build a safer, stronger nation,” Abbas declared.
By Abdullah Korede
