Former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (Rtd), has called for a comprehensive and urgent overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture, advocating a decisive shift from reactive measures to a modern, data-driven, predictive, and technology-powered system. Irabor made this call while delivering the guest lecture at the 2026 Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan College of Arts and Social Sciences Annual Lecture Series held 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 occasion as a “national call to action.” He warned that Nigeria risks falling dangerously behind evolving security threats if it fails to fully embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies. The former defence chief painted a sobering picture of Nigeria’s security landscape, identifying terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and cybercrime as persistent and evolving threats that have severely disrupted daily life and significantly eroded public confidence in the state. “The persistence of insecurity in Nigeria has become one of the most pressing challenges confronting national development,” Irabor stated.
Drawing from his extensive military experience, he acknowledged that conventional operations have achieved some successes but emphasized that they are no longer sufficient to counter highly adaptive non-state actors. He noted that these groups have moved beyond traditional battlefields, increasingly leveraging digital tools for recruitment, coordination, and financing “Artificial Intelligence is no longer optional,” Irabor declared, stressing that AI has become a decisive factor in modern warfare, intelligence gathering, and national security management.
He highlighted global trends such as predictive analytics and autonomous surveillance systems, which enable real-time data processing and anticipatory response strategies. According to him, Nigeria must urgently adopt similar technologies to improve intelligence accuracy, enhance situational awareness, and facilitate faster, better-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 bolster counter-terrorism operations and border security.
However, Irabor cautioned against overreliance on technology alone. He stressed the importance of accompanying technological adoption with 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 warned.
The former Chief of Defence Staff also identified critical structural challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, limited technical expertise, and weak policy coordination, warning that failure to address these gaps could further widen the technological divide between Nigeria and more advanced nations.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye,PhD, FAS, reinforced the urgency of the theme. He called for an end to the nation’s traditionally reactive approach to security. “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,” Prof. Ezemonye said.
He also commended the University’s Chancellor, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, for consistently promoting research-driven engagement on critical national issues, emphasizing that universities must serve as “fortresses of solutions” to Nigeria’s most pressing challenges.
