24/07/2025
BURATAI CALLS FOR YOUTHS ENGAGEMENT AND PROACTIVE SECURITY STRATEGY AT FEDERAL UNIVERSITY, LOKOJA
In an address at the 18th Distinguished Public Lecture of the Federal University, Lokoja, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai delivered a thought-provoking discourse on the urgent need to rethink Nigeriaโs security strategy. The theme of his lecture, โYouth, Governance, and Countering Violent Extremism: Rethinking Nigeriaโs Security Strategy,โ resonated deeply with both students and faculty, emphasizing the pivotal role of youth in shaping the nationโs future.
The former military chief proposed a synergistic approach to combating insecurity, recommending a combination of both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies. โIt takes not guns and boots to counter such a threat but rather a change in paradigm in the way governance gets done in the area of security,โ he stated, calling for a radical structural transformation that places youth at the forefront of decision-making processes.
Burataiโs lecture emphasized the necessity for Nigeria to learn from successful youth-centered approaches in countries like Tunisia, Kenya, Colombia, and Rwanda. โIf we do not reach out to our young people, we leave them to be recruited by criminal gangs or extremist organizations,โ he warned. He urged policymakers to empower the youth, asserting that they will become defenders of Nigeria and architects of its future.
In a commendation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubuโs initiatives, Buratai praised the establishment of the National Education Data System, the Students' Loans Scheme, and the approval of skill development programs across all levels of education. He highlighted the importance of critical education and peace literacy in schools, as well as the role of youth-led digital platforms in countering hate speech and fostering positive narratives.
The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi echoed Burataiโs sentiments, stating that the theme of the lecture could not have come at a more opportune moment. โOur country is in dire need of strategies that are innovative, inclusive, and sustainable,โ he asserted, expressing confidence that Burataiโs insights would inspire meaningful conversations and inform policy.
As Nigeria grapples with the challenges of insecurity and youth disenfranchisement, Burataiโs call for a transformative approach to governance and youth engagement offers a beacon of hope for a more secure and prosperous future.
