Collective Action Key to Defeating Insecurity, Akpabio Tells Stakeholders

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has declared that overcoming Nigeria’s persistent security challenges demands an urgent, collective effort from all sectors of society. Akpabio made the assertion at the opening of the 15th National Security Seminar in Abuja on Tuesday 16 June 2026. The two-day event, held at the Abacha Hall, was organized by the Alumni Association of the National Defence College (AANDEC) in partnership with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Defence College (NDC).

Represented by his predecessor, former Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Akpabio noted that Nigeria’s security landscape has grown increasingly volatile, making traditional, isolated approaches obsolete. “Insecurity has become a pressing national concern that requires a whole-of-society approach,” Akpabio stated. “Securing our nation is no longer the sole responsibility of the government; it requires the active participation of civil society, the private sector, media organizations, and technology platforms.”

Legislative Support and Border Control

While expressing deep concern over the recent spike in kidnappings and the tragic loss of security personnel in the line of duty, the Senate President commended the Armed Forces for their continued sacrifices. He reassured the security agencies of the National Assembly’s unwavering commitment to providing the necessary legislative backing and robust budgetary allocations to strengthen their operations.

This year’s seminar, themed “Strengthening Nigeria’s Border Security Architecture for National Stability,” specifically targeted the vulnerabilities along the nation’s frontiers. Akpabio emphasized that fortifying border security is the linchpin in dismantling terrorism, checking insurgency, halting human trafficking, and curbing the dangerous proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs). To achieve this, he called for a pivot toward modern technology, enhanced intelligence sharing, and more aggressive strategic policy implementation.

A Strategic Push for Territorial Integrity

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Acting National President of AANDEC, Commodore Amatare Kpou (Rtd), explained that the seminar’s theme was deliberately chosen to directly reinforce ongoing federal efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity. Kpou expressed strong confidence that the high-level deliberations would yield actionable recommendations to transform the country’s border management systems.

The seminar drew a high-profile audience of security experts, military strategists, academics, and policymakers. Among the key dignitaries present were representatives of the Minister of Defence, the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), and the various Service Chiefs.