The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, says hunger and poverty are no longer social challenges but have become national security threats. Musa stated this at the opening of the 14th National Security Seminar, which was organised by the Alumni Association of the National Defence College (AANDEC) on Monday in Abuja.
The seminar, “Combating Hunger and Poverty for Sustainable Peace and Development in Nigeria,” was organised in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Defence College (NDC). The CDS, represented by the Chief of Defence Training, Rear Adm Ibrahim Shettima, called for a unified national approach to combating hunger and poverty, stressing their growing impact on Nigeria’s internal security.
He commended the organisers for creating a strategic platform for critical dialogue on Nigeria’s security and developmental challenges.
In his remarks, AANDEC President Retired Air Commodore Darlington Abdullahi underscored the need for sustained investment in education, economic empowerment, and social inclusion as critical non-kinetic responses to Nigeria’s deepening insecurity.
He advocated for creating a dedicated vocational and leadership development centre for widows and children of fallen heroes, describing it as a necessary step in empowering vulnerable populations and promoting national healing.
