South-East Security Key to Nigeria’s Unity, Growth — Information Minister

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has declared that lasting peace and security in the South-East remain essential to Nigeria’s unity, economic prosperity and democratic stability, urging stakeholders to adopt a united approach to tackling insecurity in the region.

Speaking on Thursday at the 2026 South-East Regional Security Summit in Umuahia, Abia State, the minister said the security of the South-East was directly linked to the strength and progress of the nation.

“When the South-East is secure, Nigeria is stronger. When every region enjoys peace, our democracy flourishes. And when we stand together as one people, united by a common destiny, no force can diminish the promise of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Idris said.

Addressing the summit themed, “Collaborative Approaches to Strengthening Security and Regional Stability,” Idris stressed that addressing insecurity requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society strategy involving federal and state governments, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations and citizens.

He reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to protecting lives and property through improved intelligence gathering, enhanced inter-agency collaboration, better equipment for security agencies and stronger international partnerships.

According to the minister, the Federal Government is also investing in infrastructure, youth empowerment, education, digital skills and support for small businesses as part of a broader strategy to tackle the root causes of insecurity and promote sustainable peace.

He urged Nigerians to reject misinformation and support ongoing constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening grassroots policing through the proposed establishment of state police.

Also speaking, President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, represented by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, assured participants of the National Assembly’s commitment to providing the legislative backing needed to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

Yar’Adua said lasting security could only be achieved through collaboration among government institutions, security agencies, traditional authorities, civil society groups and citizens.

“The National Assembly will continue to support initiatives that promote national unity, regional stability and economic development,” he said.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, called for stronger regional cooperation and institutional reforms to address emerging security threats in the South-East.

Kalu urged stakeholders to move beyond dialogue to concrete implementation, stressing that security cannot be achieved through force alone but through community trust, collaboration and collective responsibility.

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, described security as the foundation of development, noting that meaningful economic progress cannot thrive in an atmosphere of fear and violence.

He called for greater investment in youth employment, improved intelligence sharing and deliberate efforts to address the underlying causes of crime across the region.

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to safeguard lives and property through sustained investment in the Armed Forces and other security agencies.

He said improved training, modern equipment, enhanced intelligence gathering and stronger collaboration among security agencies were already strengthening Nigeria’s response to security challenges.

The summit attracted key political leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, heads of security agencies, lawmakers, civil society organisations and other stakeholders from across the South-East, who deliberated on strategies for enhancing peace, security and regional stability.