By Sarafina Christopher
Abuja, April 23, 2026- A peace advocate ,Mr Rafiu Lawal, has called for a stronger shift toward non-kinetic approaches and multi-stakeholder collaboration in addressing Nigeria’s persistent security challenges.
Lawal, Executive Director of Building Blocks for Peace Foundation, said this in an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
He said while military action remained important, lasting peace could only be achieved by addressing the root causes of insecurity such as poverty, injustice and unemployment.
“I do not have any problem with kinetic measures, but I strongly believe non-kinetic solutions offer more sustainable results.
“We must invest in social protection, education, jobs, healthcare and food security,” he said.
Lawal noted that despite billions of dollars spent on fighting terrorism and banditry since 2009, insecurity had continued to persist in different parts of the country.
He said this indicated the need for a more comprehensive and people-centred approach to national security.
According to him, sustainable peace requires collaboration between government, civil society, traditional institutions, the media, academia and communities.
“Every actor connected to peace and security must rise to the occasion. The government must lead, while others complement the effort,” he said.
Lawal also emphasised the importance of accountability and good governance, noting that corruption and poor resource management continue to weaken national security efforts.
He urged the government to strengthen institutions, improve service delivery and ensure efficient use of public funds to build public trust.
“If the government provides an enabling environment and manages resources effectively, insecurity will reduce significantly,” he said.
Lawal expressed optimism that Nigeria could overcome its challenges if all stakeholders work together in a coordinated and responsible manner.
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