Civil Society Leaders Call on President Tinubu to Tackle Insecurity and Economic Hardship

Civil society organisations across Nigeria have issued a joint call to the President, urging immediate and decisive action to stem rising insecurity and economic suffering. They warn that the convergence of violence, deprivation and social unrest threatens the country’s cohesion and democratic legitimacy.

In their statement, the group highlighted alarming trends: escalating incidents of kidnappings, banditry and communal violence alongside surging inflation, food shortages and rising cost of living. They argue that while some of the problems were inherited, the urgency and scale of the response now fall upon the current administration.

The organisations drew attention to the constitutional mandate that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.” They insist that this principle demands more than rhetoric: it requires clear policy, measurable progress and transparent accountability. Without visible results, they contend, public trust erodes and the risk of broader unrest increases.

On the security front, the groups emphasised the consequences of delayed action: farmers unable to access fields, markets interrupted by violence, and communities living under constant threat. They note that such insecurity directly contributes to economic hardship by disrupting supply chains, reducing production and increasing costs.

From the economic side, the statement cited deepening food insecurity, rampant inflation and contractions in livelihoods as pressing issues. They pointed out that many households now struggle to meet basic needs, and that the policy responses so far lack pace, scale or target-efficiency. According to them, policy interventions must integrate both immediate relief and long-term structural reform.

The civil society leaders also expressed concern that without simultaneous progress on governance, transparency and social protection, efforts to address security and economic issues risk being piecemeal. They call for an integrated approach: stronger oversight of security agencies, investment in rural infrastructure, social safety nets, and inclusive citizen engagement.

While acknowledging the complexity of the challenges, the groups stressed that inaction is not an option. They warned that if the government fails to show tangible improvement within a defined timeframe, the window for restoring trust may close, and societal fault-lines could widen into political fault-lines. The country’s stability, they argue, is at stake.

In closing, the civil society coalition urged the President to convene a national summit with stakeholders — security chiefs, economists, civil society and community leaders — to chart a road-map with clear timelines and accountability metrics. They also pledged to monitor progress and hold the government to its commitments, signalling that the current moment demands more than promises.