Former presidential candidate and legal luminary, Adewole Adebayo, has cautioned that Nigeria’s quest for renewal will remain elusive unless peace and security are placed at the core of governance.
In a statement commemorating Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary, Adebayo recalled the words of the country’s first Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, stressing that courage, justice, and accountability remain the pillars for achieving the founding vision of a united and prosperous nation.
“For Nigeria to take its next great step forward, any government of the future must place security at the very heart of its agenda. Without peace, nothing else can flourish,” he declared.
He lamented rising insecurity, pointing to United Nations data showing over 2.3 million internally displaced persons in Nigeria by the end of 2024, alongside thousands of violent incidents that have devastated communities.
According to him, peace is the key to unlocking critical infrastructure Nigeria desperately needs from roads and railways to power grids, hospitals, and digital networks. He urged the adoption of a unified national security strategy that integrates the military, police, and intelligence services under a coordinated doctrine, strengthened with modern surveillance tools such as drones and satellites.
Adebayo also decried Nigeria’s infrastructure and energy gaps, noting that while the country generates less than 5,000MW of power, South Africa produces 40,000MW despite having a smaller population. He warned that corruption and illicit financial flows drain nearly $18 billion annually from the economy, describing it as “treason against our future.”
On poverty, he cited National Bureau of Statistics’ data showing that 133 million Nigerians about 63% of the population lack basic needs, with one in three living below the global poverty line of $2.15 per day and 31 million facing acute food insecurity.
Still, he struck a hopeful note, describing Nigeria’s youth as the nation’s “master strategy for greatness.” With over 70% of citizens under 30, he called for massive investment in education, vocational training, digital skills, and youth enterprise.
“Nigeria has never shied away from its challenges,” he reminded. “The urgent task before us now is to build a nation where no one is left behind, and no community is consigned to despair.”
For Adebayo, Independence Day must be seen as a moment of “solemn renewal,” where Nigerians recommit to peace, justice, and good governance as the foundation for national progress.
