By Edward Oseghe
Former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (Rtd), has called for an urgent transformation of Nigeria’s security framework, urging a shift from largely reactive responses to a system powered by data, prediction and advanced technology.
Irabor made the call on Thursday while delivering the guest lecture at the 2026 Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan College of Arts and Social Sciences Annual Lecture Series at Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State.
Speaking on the theme, “Combating Insecurity in Nigeria: Artificial Intelligence and the Global Future,” the retired general described the moment as a “national call to action,” warning that Nigeria risks falling behind evolving security threats if it fails to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI).
He presented a broad assessment of the country’s security challenges, identifying terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and cybercrime as persistent threats that have reshaped daily life and eroded public confidence in the state.
“The persistence of insecurity in Nigeria has become one of the most pressing challenges confronting national development,” Irabor said.
Drawing from his military experience, he acknowledged that conventional operations have recorded successes but stressed that they remain inadequate against increasingly adaptive non-state actors. According to him, such groups have expanded beyond traditional battlefields, deploying digital tools for recruitment, coordination and financing.
“Artificial Intelligence is no longer optional,” he stated, noting that it has become a decisive factor in modern warfare, intelligence gathering and national security management.
Irabor pointed to global trends, including predictive analytics and autonomous surveillance systems, as evidence of a shift toward real-time data processing and anticipatory response strategies. He argued that Nigeria must adopt similar technologies to enhance intelligence accuracy, improve situational awareness and enable faster, more informed decision-making.
“AI enables systems to analyse vast volumes of data, detect patterns and forecast threats at a scale impossible for human operators alone,” he said, adding that such capabilities could significantly strengthen counter-terrorism operations and border security.
He, however, cautioned against an overreliance on technology, stressing the need for institutional reforms, ethical safeguards and human-centred policies.
“How well we integrate AI with human insight, ethical considerations and governance structures will determine its effectiveness.
“Without this balance, the risks of misuse and rights violations become real,” he noted.
The former defence chief also highlighted structural challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, limited technical expertise and weak policy coordination, warning that failure to address them could widen the gap between Nigeria and more technologically advanced nations.
In his remarks, Vice-Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, echoed the urgency of the theme, urging a departure from reactive security approaches.
“For too long, our national security conversation has been reactive—responding to attacks and counting losses.
“The future of Nigeria’s security will be written in code and data, just as much as in courage and sacrifice,” he said.
Ezemonye also commended the university’s Chancellor, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, for promoting research-driven engagement on national issues, stressing that universities must serve as “fortresses of solutions” to the country’s challenges.
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