Defence minister backs inclusion of local communities in security architecture

From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd.), has advocated the inclusion of local communities in Nigeria’s security architecture as part of efforts to tackle the rising wave of insecurity across the country.

Musa also called for stronger collaboration among local governments, communities, traditional and religious institutions, security agencies and the private sector to strengthen security at the grassroots.

The Defence Minister made the call in his keynote address at a two-day national workshop for local government chairmen organised by the Federal Character Commission (FCC) in collaboration with the All Progressives Congress (APC) Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) in Abuja.

Speaking on the theme, “Strengthening Grassroots Security through Inclusive Local Leadership, Community Partnership and Inter-Agency Collaboration,” Musa said insecurity was experienced most directly at the community level, making local knowledge indispensable to effective prevention and early intervention.

“If we are serious about preventing insecurity rather than simply responding to it after it occurs, then the knowledge and experience of those closest to the people must become an integral part of our security effort,” he said.

Musa backed the proposal for the establishment of local government security coordination committees across the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs), but stressed that the initiative would only succeed if the committees were functional and not merely another layer of bureaucracy.

“The objective should be clear: to strengthen the connection between our communities and the security architecture of the country, improve early warning and, where possible, prevent incidents before they escalate,” he said.

According to him, securing communities was not only about protecting lives and property but also about safeguarding livelihoods, investment and economic activities.

“When we secure a farming community, we are protecting livelihoods and food production. When we secure a business district, we are protecting investment and employment,” Musa said.

He stressed that the proposed committees should not create parallel security structures, but should improve coordination among existing institutions and ensure that all stakeholders contributed effectively within their areas of responsibility.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu, Chairman of the APC Progressive Governors Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, as well as the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, among others, charged chairmen of the 774 local government areas to embrace inclusive governance and accountability.

They tasked the council chairmen with translating the principles of federal character into practical, inclusive and equitable governance at the grassroots, stressing that the effectiveness of national governance was ultimately measured by its impact on citizens at the community level.

They gave the charge in separate remarks at the workshop organised by the FCC in collaboration with the PGF.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, President Tinubu urged the local government chairmen, security agencies and other stakeholders to deepen the implementation of federal character, inclusive governance and grassroots development.

He emphasised that Nigeria’s diversity remained one of its greatest assets, stressing that the country’s multiplicity of cultures, ethnicities and beliefs must be managed through fairness, justice and inclusion.

According to him, local government councils occupy a strategic position in Nigeria’s governance architecture because they constitute the closest interface between citizens and the state.

“Policies, no matter how well-crafted, achieve little unless they are effectively translated into action where it matters most, the grassroots.

“You must rise above sectional interests and embrace a broader national perspective that prioritises unity over division and inclusiveness over exclusion,” the President said.

Earlier, Omidiran said Nigeria’s diversity must be transformed into a source of strength, explaining that the workshop was designed to strengthen the connection between federal character, grassroots governance and national integration.

“Our ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversities are not obstacles to nationhood; rather, they are valuable strengths capable of driving national growth when managed with equity, justice, and sincerity of purpose,” she said.

She noted that local governments were uniquely positioned to manage diversity within communities through equitable distribution of opportunities, fair representation, inclusive leadership and meaningful engagement with citizens.

“The future of Nigeria depends greatly on our collective willingness to promote justice above prejudice, unity above division, and national interest above personal or sectional considerations,” Omidiran said.

The Chairman of the APC Progressive Governors Forum, represented by its Director-General, Folorunso S. Aluko, commended the FCC for partnering with the forum on the initiative.

Aluko described local government as the point where citizens encounter government most directly, noting that functioning primary healthcare centres, accessible community roads, improved sanitation and support for vulnerable citizens were tangible manifestations of government.

“When a primary healthcare centre functions, a community road becomes passable, sanitation improves or vulnerable citizens receive support, government ceases to be an abstract institution; it becomes a living source of dignity, confidence and hope,” he said.

He also stressed that greater local government autonomy must be accompanied by greater responsibility and accountability.

“Autonomy must always travel with responsibility. Greater authority must produce higher standards of transparent budgeting, prudent financial management, merit-based appointments, procurement integrity, audit compliance and meaningful citizen engagement,” Aluko said.

He urged the council chairmen to recognise their roles beyond administration, describing them as custodians of public trust and frontline builders of the Nigerian federation.

“Local Government Chairmen are not merely administrators of councils; you are custodians of public trust and frontline builders of the Nigerian federation,” he said.