Youth empowerment remains key to national security, stakeholders say

By Oguadimma Chisom

The Executive Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, Engr. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa, has called on governments at all levels to deliberately invest in youth empowerment, skills acquisition and meaningful engagement, saying such interventions remain the most sustainable solution to insecurity across the country.

Olowa made the call during a virtual webinar titled “The Conversation on Community Security and Safety,” with the theme “Securing Our Communities: Youth as Catalysts for Peace and Safety.”

The event, which was moderated by Ambassador Oladimeji Ibrahim and Comrade Hassan Abdulsalam, featured the Police Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Command, SP Abimbola Adebisi, and the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Lagos State University, Associate Professor Dr. Abiodun Fatai Abatan.

Speaking on youth development and security, Olowa said unemployment and the lack of practical skills continue to expose many young Nigerians to crime and other social vices.

He stressed that governments must intentionally redirect the energy of young people into productive ventures through education, vocational training and employment opportunities.

“We need to redirect the energy of our young people towards productive ventures. To achieve this, we must be intentional about ensuring that they remain meaningfully engaged,” he said.

According to him, many young people remain uncertain about their future because they lack access to opportunities that would make them economically productive.

“There is a need to pay serious attention to skills development from an early stage. We see many young people who are uncertain about their future and what path to follow. We must help them acquire practical and employable skills that will enable them to become self-reliant and contribute positively to society,” Olowa added.

He also warned that failure to equip young people with relevant skills would make it difficult to harness their potential for national development.

He called for stronger partnerships between governments, educational institutions and the private sector to create opportunities for young people.

“Our youth are energetic, trainable and capable of acquiring valuable skills if given the right support,” he said.

He also urged young people to stay away from drug abuse and other social vices while embracing personal development and self-improvement.

“If we truly want to get the best out of our youth, we must support them by redirecting their energy toward productive activities. When young people are equipped with relevant skills from an early age and empowered to contribute meaningfully to society, crime and other social vices will naturally reduce.”

Speaking on the relationship between economic development and security, Olowa said the existing security architecture within the Ibeju-Lekki corridor has improved considerably but requires continuous investment to match the area’s rapid industrial expansion.

He noted that the area hosts strategic national assets, including the Lekki Deep Sea Port, Dangote Refinery, and the Lekki Free Trade Zone, which accommodates over 1,000 companies.

According to him, the presence of the Area Command, police stations, police posts, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies has strengthened security within the axis.

However, he maintained that more operational security formations are needed to adequately protect the rapidly growing economic corridor.

“Ibeju-Lekki is now one of the fastest-growing economic corridors in Nigeria, both in terms of population and industrial development. There is therefore a need for more security institutions and a stronger operational presence in the area,” he said.

Olowa further advocated increased investment in technology-driven security infrastructure, including surveillance cameras across strategic locations.

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“Both the federal and state governments must continue investing in security infrastructure. Technology should also play a central role. Surveillance cameras should be installed at strategic locations, not only along the coastal corridor but extending through the Lekki-Epe axis to Victoria Island. All these areas now form one continuous economic corridor, and our security architecture must be designed to adequately protect it.”

Also speaking, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Command, SP Abimbola Adebisi, identified unemployment and youth disengagement as major contributors to insecurity at the grassroots.

She said many young people involved in criminal activities are often victims of their environment and circumstances rather than deliberate criminals.

“One of the major reasons why insecurity exists at the grassroots is unemployment and the lack of meaningful engagement for young people. When youths have little or nothing productive to do, they become vulnerable to crime and other social vices,” she said.

Adebisi explained that the Lagos State Police Command has continued to strengthen community engagement initiatives to build trust between the police and young people while promoting rehabilitation and crime prevention.

She also disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force operates a Community Response Unit that allows members of the public to report crimes and suspicious activities anonymously.

“You are not required to provide your personal details if you do not wish to. We do not need your home address, your phone number or even your surname. What we need is credible information that will enable us to take prompt action,” she said.

She also urged residents to support community policing by providing timely information capable of preventing crime.

According to her, intelligence supplied by members of the public remains one of the most effective tools in combating insecurity.

“Security cannot be achieved in isolation; it is a collective responsibility. We depend largely on credible information from members of the community to prevent crime and improve security.”

She further assured participants that all reports received through the Public Relations Office are treated confidentially and escalated to the Commissioner of Police for appropriate action.

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The Dean of Students’ Affairs, Lagos State University, Associate Professor Dr. Abiodun Fatai Abatan, noted that empowering young people requires more than rhetoric, urging governments to create deliberate opportunities for youth participation in governance and national development.

According to him, describing young people as leaders of tomorrow without providing them with the tools to succeed is no longer sufficient.

“It is not enough to simply say that the youth are the leaders of tomorrow; we must also provide them with the opportunities, resources and platforms they need to contribute meaningfully to society,” Abatan said.

He emphasised that education, leadership development and skills acquisition remain critical to preparing young people for responsible citizenship.

“Young people should be encouraged to participate in governance, public dialogue and community engagement. Their voices matter, and they must be included in conversations and decision-making processes that affect their future.”

Abatan added that sustained dialogue, mentorship and collaboration among governments, educational institutions and community leaders would empower young people to become agents of positive change.

By addressing youth unemployment, expanding access to education and skills development, strengthening community policing and encouraging active youth participation in governance, safer communities and sustained Nigeria’s economy can be achieved.