Nigeria’s Army Chief Highlights the Impracticality of Securing 200 Million Citizens with Only 2 Million Security Agents

Nigeria’s Security Personnel Shortage: A Growing Concern

Nigeria’s security personnel shortage has become a critical issue, according to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja. Speaking at a recent event, he explained that securing over 200 million citizens with only 2 million security agents is unrealistic, especially given the Nigerian Army’s manpower of just over 100,000 active personnel.

This security personnel shortage in Nigeria is further compounded by inadequate funding, affecting the overall performance of the military. Lagbaja emphasized that without a larger reserve force and better-equipped security agencies, the gap in manpower will continue to be exploited by criminal elements. He called for more significant investments to address the pressing security needs of the country.

Moreover, Nigeria’s security personnel shortage directly impacts the nation’s ability to respond effectively to growing threats. According to Lagbaja, the annual budget allocated to the Armed Forces remains insufficient, despite recent improvements. The current $2.8 billion budget, with an additional $1 billion supplementary fund, has not met the growing security demands, as not all funds are fully released.

The Nigeria’s security personnel shortage has broader implications for national development, as it affects not only security but also the overall stability of the country. For a nation of Nigeria’s size, addressing these gaps is critical to ensuring long-term peace and security.