The former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr Kayode Egbetokun, has called on the federal and state governments to tackle poverty, unemployment and other governance challenges as a sure way to address insecurity in Nigeria.

He also called for a strategic redefinition of Nigeria’s security strategy around the everyday security needs of citizens, including food, employment, healthcare and education.

Egbetokun, in a keynote address yesterday at the 20th International Conference and General Assembly of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP), held at Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State, said that solving the problem required more than military force, as there is no military solution to the governance problem.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Security Governance and Global Dynamics’, he stressed that hungry and unemployed youth could become vulnerable to recruitment by extremist groups.

Egbetokun stated that security should not be viewed solely in terms of protecting territorial borders, stressing that it also encompasses access to justice, economic opportunities, healthcare, protection from violence, and citizens’ confidence that institutions will treat them fairly.

He listed the governance gap between the emergence of security threats and institutions’ ability to respond collectively as one of Nigeria’s major challenges.

Though he called for reforms in the policing architecture and a constitutionally defined multi-level policing system comprising federal, state and community policing, the former police chief called for clear rules of engagement, funding and accountability in the devolution of policing powers to states and local councils.

Earlier, the President of the SPSP, Prof. Benjamin Aluko, noted that the international system was experiencing unprecedented uncertainty, protracted violent conflicts, ethno-religious tensions, extremism and state fragility.

Therefore, the questions of security governance have become central to efforts to promote peace, justice, human rights, development and social order globally.

Also, the Vice-Chancellor of Lead City University, Prof. Kabiru Adeyemo, said that security includes justice, institutional trust, economic opportunities, and social inclusion, adding that weak governance creates conditions for insecurity to thrive, while accountable, inclusive, and responsive governance promotes peace.

He said universities had a responsibility to contribute to social transformation by producing problem-solvers, peacebuilders and ethical leaders capable of addressing complex national and global challenges.