The International Conference on National Security for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development was convened at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja around August 11–12, 2026. Organized by Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS Nigeria) in collaboration with the Muslim World League (MWL), the high-level gathering brought together top security experts, senior government officials, religious leaders, and international delegates.
Former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd), participated among senior security figures and key contributors addressing the vital link between national security, stability, and sustainable economic growth.
Core Themes & Highlights of the Conference
1. Security as the Bedrock of Economic Development
- Pillar of Prosperity: The statement underscored that long-term socio-economic progress, foreign direct investment, and domestic growth cannot thrive without a stable and secure security architecture.
- Maritime & Territorial Defense: Drawing from Vice Admiral Gambo’s tenure—during which Nigeria exited the International Maritime Bureau’s list of piracy-prone countries in 2022—the dialogue emphasized sustaining maritime safety to protect vital economic channels like oil and trade routes.
2. Physical Readiness, Discipline, and Inter-Agency Cohesion
- Operational Effectiveness: Reaffirming core military values, former security chiefs emphasized that a nation’s defense strength relies heavily on discipline, physical readiness, esprit de corps, and institutional harmony rather than equipment and platforms alone.
- Integrated Defense Ecosystem: Discussions highlighted the need for seamless collaboration between active armed forces, retired security leaders, intelligence units, and private security frameworks.
3. Peaceful Coexistence & Counter-Extremism
- Community Resilience: Organized in partnership with the Muslim World League, the conference focused on dialogue, religious harmony, and interfaith cooperation as strategic non-kinetic tools against radicalization and extremism.
- Inclusive Security: Addressing root causes of insecurity through youth empowerment, social inclusion, and sustainable community governance.
Key Takeaways
- National Security Strategy: Sustainable development requires a dual approach—combining strong military capability with non-kinetic community engagement and religious harmony.
- Continuity in Maritime Safety: Protecting territorial waters remains indispensable for Nigeria’s fiscal revenue and international trade confidence.
