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Federal Govt Must Convene National Dialogue To End Worsening Insecurity — Ex-UniAbuja VC Na’Allah
He argued that Nigeria cannot continue to treat insecurity as a distant crisis, adding that sustainable peace will only emerge when government and citizens jointly examine its root causes.
Ilorin, Kwara State– A former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, has called on the Federal Government to immediately convene a nationwide dialogue to confront Nigeria’s deepening security challenges, warning that the situation requires honest conversation and collective action.
Na’Allah made the appeal in Ilorin during a public lecture themed “Religious Harmony, Cultural Preservation and Community Service: The Significance of Ilorin Emirate Pulpit.”
He argued that Nigeria cannot continue to treat insecurity as a distant crisis, adding that sustainable peace will only emerge when government and citizens jointly examine its root causes.
The academic urged authorities to embark on a detailed census that captures not only urban populations but also those living in rural settlements, forests and hard-to-reach locations.
In his view, this kind of comprehensive mapping would give security agencies the intelligence needed to better secure communities and curb criminal activity.
He further recommended the adoption of the “Ilorin-style” neighbourhood watch system, describing it as a community-driven model that relies on trust, cultural cohesion and local vigilance.
According to him, the Ilorin Emirate’s unique blend of Islamic scholarship and cultural diversity has produced a disciplined and peaceful citizenry whose values could guide other parts of the country.
Meanwhile, dignitaries at the event including representatives of the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led Kwara State government and the book’s author celebrated the contributions of the Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih, the Chief Imam of Ilorin, whose sermons and community efforts have been credited with promoting inter-religious harmony and peace.
Speakers at the gathering echoed Na’Allah’s message, noting that Nigeria stands at a turning point where dialogue, local vigilance, and cultural values must converge to restore national stability.
As the insecurity crisis deepens—with communities across the country bearing the brunt of banditry, kidnapping, and communal clashes—the call for a national conversation signals renewed pressure on the Federal Government to take decisive, inclusive action before the situation deteriorates further.
