President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria’s armed forces have the capacity to win any war but must be supported by government efforts to tackle the root causes of insecurity.
Speaking at the plenary session on peace and stability at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan, on Wednesday, Tinubu praised the military’s ongoing efforts against insurgency and criminality.
“Our brave armed forces can win any number of battles, but we do justice to their heroism only when we, as government, are courageous in tackling not just terror, but also the underlying causes,” he said.
Tinubu said his administration is focused on strengthening security institutions while implementing reforms that address economic hardship and social instability.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s belief in inclusivity, diversity, and the rule of law as tools for national unity and stability.
“We believe inclusivity and diversity under the rule of law are our strengths. We have argued for this vision, and we have fought for it. We are still fighting for it today,” he said.
The president said peace and security are vital for Africa’s development, noting that although progress has been made, conflicts still persist in several parts of the continent.
He pointed to recent peace pacts in the Congo as examples of how new models of mediation are showing signs of success.
His words: “In the past, competition for resources has weakened states and triggered conflict. Now, we see mediators directly linking outcomes to investment in Congo.
“It is working and underlines the need for fresh thinking in everything we do to deliver peace and stability.”
Tinubu called for more market-driven partnerships and urged global leaders to prioritise economic cooperation over aid dependency.
He also pushed for urgent reforms at the United Nations, demanding greater representation for Africa on the Security Council.
“Africa deserves two seats in the Permanent Category, with all its prerogatives and privileges, including the Right of Veto.
“Africa also deserves additional seats in the non–permanent seat category, as encapsulated in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration,” he stated.
On the role of information and technology, Tinubu called for international collaboration to ensure digital tools promote peace rather than division.