The security challenges bedeviling Nigeria and deny country of needed investment that leads to economic growth can be tackled if the government invests in internal security research, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, immediate past vice chancellor of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, has said.
According to him, Nigeria has been contending with internal security in various forms since independence, adding that most of the time, the challenges arise from competition for resources, land water among others.
Speaking at the 2023 summit of the Education Writers Association of Nigeria, EWAN in Lagos, said that Internal insecurity leads to stunted economic growth, which negatively affects social cohesion and unity, adding that it affects in the negative form, infrastructural development and human capital development won’t be enhanced.
In his keynote address titled ‘Research for national development: Nigeria’s internal security in focus,’ Ogundipe said Foreign relations and diplomacy is badly affected too.
Commenting further he said Foreign Direct Investment is hampered because insecurity that does not go away keeps foreign investors away, adding that the ways that internal insecurity has hampered national development are many, but that research, science and innovation can play pivotal roles to enhancing internal security.
“Analysis and intelligence gathering is important. Using drones, CCTV cameras to monitor situations is necessary. Regarding cyber threats, some universities can be given the assignment to set up centres that would nip cyber crimes and threats in the bud,” he said.
Folasade Ogunsola, Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos; Tolani Ali-Balogun, Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education who was represented by Director Education Resource Centre, Akinlade Omolayo and the Chairperson, Nigeria Labour Congress, Lagos State Chapter, Funmilayo Sessi in their goodwill messages stated that security is a collective responsibility and EWAN is trailing the blaze with proactive discussions and solutions towards securing Nigeria internally.
Mojeed Alabi, chairman of EWAN said the summit was avenue for researchers, policy makers and academia to brainstorm on the way forward with focus on national development and internal security.
While seeking a lasting role in governance for educational institutions, researchers and journalists to achieve relatable solutions, Alabi pledged the readiness of EWAN to continually contribute to the development of Nigeria.
The summit had three sessions that looked into specific issues raised.
The first session, moderated by veteran broadcaster, Bimbo Oloyede, had representatives of the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC and the Nigeria Security Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, on the panel that discussed Ogundipe’s paper.
The second session with the theme, “Financial security and future of banking in Nigeria, what needs from researchers,” was sponsored by UBA Plc.
The third session had the theme “Food security, health safety and environmental sustainability: What nexus? Researchers’ perspectives”, had Taibat Olaitan Lawanson presenting on paper on urban and regional planning.
