Nigeria can’t build strong economy without security – Senator Gbenga Daniel

Former Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, has said that Nigeria cannot build a strong economy without security, nor can it sustain lasting security without a thriving economy.
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‎He said this Thursday during the 7th Freedom Online Annual Lecture with theme: “2027 Elections: Economy, Security and Nigeria’s Future,” which held in Lagos. He said that the two pillars are not inseparable and that addressing either one while neglecting the other is futile.
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‎Senator Daniel said that while Nigeria has recorded encouraging macroeconomic indicators including 4.43 percent GDP growth in the second quarter of 2026, with agriculture and services sectors showing improvement, such statistics mask the critical vulnerabilities in the experience of Nigerians.
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‎”Nigeria cannot have a strong economy without security, and it cannot have lasting security without a strong economy. The two are inseparable. The true test of economic progress is not only what appears in GDP figures. It is what Nigerians experience in their daily lives. Can a young person find decent work? Can a farmer safely reach the farm? Can a manufacturer produce competitively? Can a small business survive the cost of power, transport and finance? Can investors commit their resources with confidence? These questions bring us directly to security.
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‎”When farmers are afraid to cultivate their land, food production suffers. When roads are unsafe, the cost of transporting goods rises. When businesses spend excessively on protection, their competitiveness declines. When communities live in fear, investment is discouraged.
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‎“A farmer who cannot safely access his land produces no crops. A transporter navigating unsafe roads faces higher costs and reduced profit margins. A manufacturer spending heavily on security has fewer resources for productive investment. A community gripped by fear does not attract capital,” he said.
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‎Senator Daniel said that more than 7,800 people were abducted between July 2025 and June 2026 and that it is an economic warning. He said mass abductions leads to lost productivity and capital flight from affected regions.
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‎”If we secure our farms, we strengthen food security. If we secure our roads, we strengthen commerce. If we secure our communities, we attract investment. If we create jobs and invest in our young people, we strengthen social stability and the future of the nation. I remain optimistic about Nigeria, not because our problems are small, but because our capacity is greater than our problems.
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‎We have the people, the resources, the market and the entrepreneurial spirit. What we need is security, leadership, infrastructure and discipline to convert potential into prosperity,” he said.