*Senator Gbenga Daniel
Former Ogun State Governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has said Nigeria cannot build a strong economy without adequate security, stressing that economic growth and national security are inseparable.
Daniel made the remarks on Thursday in Lagos while delivering his remarks at the 7th Freedom Online Yearly Lecture, held at the Sheraton Lagos Hotel and themed “Economy and Security: The Future of Nigeria.”
He said while Nigeria’s economy had recorded encouraging indicators, including a 4.43 per cent growth in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the second quarter of 2026, the real measure of progress should be the impact of such growth on the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
According to him, economic performance should be assessed by whether young Nigerians can secure decent jobs, farmers can safely access their farms, manufacturers can produce competitively and small businesses can survive the high cost of power, transportation and finance.
“Nigeria cannot have a strong economy without security, and it cannot have lasting security without a strong economy. The two are inseparable,” Daniel said.
He described security as more than a responsibility of the military, police and other security agencies, saying it should also be regarded as a critical component of the country’s economic infrastructure.
“When farmers are afraid to cultivate their land, food production suffers. When roads are unsafe, the cost of transporting goods rises. When businesses spend excessively on protection, their competitiveness declines. When communities live in fear, investment is discouraged,” he said.
Daniel noted that the reported abduction of more than 7,800 people between July 2025 and June 2026 should not be viewed solely as a security concern, but also as an economic warning.
He, however, expressed optimism about Nigeria’s prospects, pointing to the country’s youthful population, entrepreneurial culture, growing technology sector, financial institutions and vibrant creative economy.
The former governor said the major challenge was to create an environment where Nigerian talent and enterprise could thrive on a larger scale through improved security, infrastructure and economic opportunities.
Nigeria Must Move Beyond Oil
Daniel also called for greater diversification of the Nigerian economy, arguing that the country’s future could not depend solely on oil.
He noted that the non-oil sector accounted for approximately 95.8 per cent of real GDP in the second quarter of 2026, reflecting the growing contributions of agriculture, manufacturing, technology, construction, financial services, tourism, entertainment and the digital economy.
“Our task is to convert these sectors into productive jobs, higher incomes and better living standards,” he said.
He stressed the need to provide young Nigerians with skills, employment, access to capital and technology, warning that failure to create opportunities could worsen frustration and undermine social stability.
“If we give our young people opportunity, they will build Nigeria. If we deny them opportunity, frustration will grow and social stability will suffer,” Daniel said.
Lagos, Ogun Offer Model for National Development.
Daniel cited Lagos and Ogun states as examples of what could be achieved when population, enterprise, infrastructure and opportunities are brought together.
While acknowledging that both states still face challenges, he said their experience demonstrated the productivity of Nigerians when provided with an enabling environment.
He called for similar opportunities to be extended across the country, saying young entrepreneurs in cities such as Aba, Kano, Ibadan, Jos, Port Harcourt and Maiduguri should be able to operate with the same confidence as their counterparts in Lagos.
Daniel urged policymakers to recognise the link between security, economic activity and social stability, saying securing farms would strengthen food security, while safer roads would boost commerce and secure communities would encourage investment.
He added that creating jobs and investing in young Nigerians would strengthen social stability and secure the country’s future.
“I remain optimistic about Nigeria—not because our problems are small, but because our capacity is greater than our problems,” he said.
“We have the people, the resources, the market and the entrepreneurial spirit. What we need is the security, leadership, infrastructure and discipline to convert potential into prosperity.”
Daniel thereafter handed over to the Lagos State Governor, who was billed to deliver the main lecture on the theme.