January 29, (THEWILL) – President Bola Tinubu has called for a multifaceted response to the growing security threats in the Lake Chad Basin region, including terrorism, insurgency, and other forms of insecurity.
Speaking in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Wednesday, the President emphasised the need for a comprehensive strategy that combines military action with measures to address the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, inequality, and the lack of economic opportunities for the region’s youth.
President Tinubu made the call at the 5th meeting of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum, which brought together governors from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and the Republic of Niger, along with humanitarian organisations and representatives from the international community, to discuss the pressing security challenges facing the region.
The event was hosted by the Yobe State government in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The President, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, noted that while military power is crucial in confronting these security challenges, it must be supported by strategies that focus on tackling the underlying issues contributing to instability.
He stated, “Our response to these threats must be multifaceted. While military solutions are indispensable, they must be complemented by strategies that address the root causes of insecurity—poverty, inequality, and the lack of opportunities for our youth. It is a tragic irony that Africa, with the youngest population in the world, sees its youth becoming fodder for destructive ideologies. This is our challenge: to turn this demographic dividend into a force for good.”
He further stated that the true essence of power lies not in its possession but in its application, stressing that soft power—through diplomacy, culture, and shared values—plays a crucial role in bringing about long-lasting peace.
Tinubu pointed out that global military spending hit a historic $2.4 trillion in 2023, but emphasized that hard power, detached from justice and diplomacy, often exacerbates the very issues it seeks to address.
The President stated, “The true enemy,” the President said, “remains the non-state actors—those who exploit weak borders, poor governance, and fragile economies to challenge our claim to civilization.”
However, he warned that the absence of cooperation and commitment to shared values would be the biggest threat to the region’s future.
Tinubu urged the governors to stay true to the vision that led to the creation of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum, underscoring the importance of adopting partnerships that will benefit the people of the region.
He pointed to initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as key pillars in promoting regional stability.
He also acknowledged the successes of the joint military efforts of the member countries in repelling security threats, attributing the victories to the strong cooperation between nations in the region.
The President cautioned against allowing geopolitical tensions from external actors to cause divisions within the region, urging the forum’s members not to become tools in any proxy wars.
In his welcome address, the host governor, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, reflected on the progress made since the Regional Strategy for Stabilization, Recovery, and Resilience was established six years ago.
He noted that the forum served as a critical platform for regional collaboration in addressing the challenges facing the Lake Chad Basin.
The Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, commended the contributions of the forum’s strategic partners in helping the region address its security and developmental challenges.
He called the forum a rallying point for political cohesion, socio-economic development, and regional integration.
Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintri, spoke on the environmental crisis in the region, pointing to the shrinking of Lake Chad by 90% in the last six years due to climate change, irrigation, and population growth.
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