Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, General Taoreed Lagbaja, has sparked a national conversation on the country’s security challenges, stating that it is “unrealistic” to expect two million security personnel to protect a population of over 200 million Nigerians.

Lagbaja made this remark on Tuesday during the 2024 distinguished personality lecture in Ilorin, Kwara State, highlighting the military’s heavy reliance on imported defense equipment due to the country’s weak industrial base.

“We import over 90 percent of our military needs,” Lagbaja noted, emphasizing the country’s overwhelming dependence on foreign military supplies despite local production efforts. The army chief also expressed concerns over the inadequate funding of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), which significantly affects the military’s operational performance.

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A Funding Conundrum

Lagbaja revealed that in 2023, the entire AFN had a budget of about $2.8 billion, with an additional supplementary budget of around one billion dollars. However, not all budgetary allocations were fully released, and the country’s economic downturn has eroded the actual value of what is released.

The Security Personnel Gap

Addressing the security personnel gap, Lagbaja emphasized that the considerable resource gap is being exploited by criminal elements. “National security requires all citizens to be part of the security framework, fostering vigilance, trust, and community engagement,” he said. This, he believes, will create a more resilient citizenry, better equipped to respond to national emergencies.

As Nigeria grapples with its security challenges, Lagbaja’s statement has sparked a necessary conversation on the country’s defense strategy and funding priorities. Will the government heed the call to increase investment in the military, or will alternative solutions be explored?

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