Former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has stressed the need for increased youth participation in Nigeria’s security architecture, warning that failure to engage young people meaningfully could further aggravate insecurity across the country.

Buratai made the assertion while delivering a lecture titled, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria and National Security: The Youth and National Security Aspirations,” at the University of Ilorin.

The retired military officer described Nigerian youths as the nation’s greatest strength, noting that their creativity, patriotism, and innovation must be effectively channelled towards combating terrorism, banditry, cybercrime, separatist agitations, and other security threats confronting the country.

According to him, the Armed Forces of Nigeria had transformed from a colonial constabulary institution into a formidable force responsible for protecting the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He observed that persistent insecurity across the North-East, North-West, Middle Belt, and South-East remained a major threat to national unity, adding that meaningful youth engagement in security initiatives would play a decisive role in ensuring stability and sustainable development.

Buratai further outlined the constitutional responsibilities of the Armed Forces, including defending Nigeria against external aggression, suppressing insurrection, and supporting civil authorities in maintaining law and order.

The former army chief also reviewed Nigeria’s security landscape, identifying Boko Haram insurgency, ISWAP activities, banditry, oil theft, separatist violence, and transnational organised crimes as some of the major challenges confronting the country.

Drawing comparisons with counter-insurgency operations in Colombia and Sri Lanka, he urged Nigeria to adopt a combination of military operations and socio-economic reforms in addressing insecurity.

He also encouraged Nigerian youths to embrace careers in the Armed Forces, noting that the military offers opportunities for leadership development, discipline, skills acquisition, career advancement, and national integration.

Buratai proposed the recruitment of 50,000 youths annually into the Armed Forces over the next five years, alongside the establishment of state intelligence fusion centres and a national civic security training programme for graduates.

He concluded by urging Nigerian youths to actively support efforts aimed at promoting peace and national security, stressing that enduring peace could only be achieved through justice, inclusion, and development.