Insecurity Exploited For Political Purposes, Okonjo-Iweala Warns Nigerian Leaders

Insecurity Exploited For Political Purposes, Okonjo-Iweala Warns Nigerian Leaders

At the 2024 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in Lagos, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organisation, criticized Nigerian politicians for exploiting the country’s insecurity for political gains.

In her keynote address, titled “A Social Contract For Nigeria’s Future,” Okonjo-Iweala emphasized that socio-economic development cannot be achieved without adequate security, which has been weaponized by political actors. She pointed out that this tactic has contributed significantly to the country’s current state of insecurity, with politicians using it to discredit their opponents, often leading to loss of lives and property.

Okonjo-Iweala also highlighted the severe impact of massive crude oil theft on Nigeria’s economy and foreign reserves. She urged the government to utilize available technology to track and stop these thefts, insisting that there should be no excuses for inaction.