Ribadu: Insecurity Impacts 150 Million Nigerians, Cripples Agriculture

National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on Friday said that insecurity is impacting as many as 150 million Nigerians, posing an unprecedented threat to national stability and agricultural productivity.

Ribadu made this disclosure in Abuja during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). The agreement aims to foster agribusiness and empower communities affected by terrorism and violent extremism.

“Security is our biggest national challenge, and agriculture is its worst-hit victim,” Ribadu stated. “Insecurity has turned our lives upside down. It has disrupted the livelihoods of millions of farmers. Nigerians are predominantly farmers or from farming families. This issue affects us all.”

He added, “The scale of the crisis is massive. The population affected by insecurity in Nigeria could exceed 120 to 150 million people. That is nearly two-thirds of our country.”

Calling for a whole-of-society approach, Ribadu urged both public and private stakeholders to work together in addressing root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, social exclusion, and lack of opportunity.

He warned that the insurgencies destabilising countries across the Sahel region could spread unless Nigeria adopts comprehensive, non-kinetic strategies alongside military operations.

“We are the last nation standing strong in the Sahel. Others have collapsed under the pressure of insecurity. We must not let our guard down,” he said.

Ribadu stressed the importance of sustainable peace efforts that go beyond the battlefield, emphasizing the need for community-based development, economic empowerment, and agricultural investment.

Also speaking at the event, Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muktar Maiha, echoed Ribadu’s concerns and advocated for a developmental shift in rural strategy.

“We must replace armoured tanks with tractors, and machine guns with milking machines. That is the future we envision,” he said. “If people are productively engaged, they won’t be easily swayed into extremism.”

Maiha emphasized that restoring agriculture and rural productivity is key to preventing recruitment into terrorist groups. “This is about creating hope where despair has taken root,” he added.

The collaboration between the NCTC and IITA is expected to launch agribusiness programmes aimed at reviving rural livelihoods, supporting displaced populations, and reducing the drivers of violent extremism through food security and empowerment initiatives.