In a significant meeting with the nation’s foremost Christian leadership, President Bola Tinubu has provided a detailed update on his administration’s security strategy, offering both assurances of progress and a candid acknowledgment of the complex challenges ahead. The meeting with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, served as a platform to outline a multi-pronged approach to Nigeria’s security crisis, with a strong emphasis on the pivotal role of sub-national policing structures.
Recalibrating the Architecture: A Promise of Tangible Results
President Tinubu assured Nigerians that the ongoing “recalibration” of the security apparatus is designed to yield measurable results that will restore public confidence. This recalibration is not merely a reshuffling of personnel but represents a fundamental rethinking of strategy and structure. The President’s acknowledgment that “the challenge is real, but we will surmount it” strikes a balance between realism and resolve, a tone crucial for maintaining public trust during a protracted struggle.
The State Policing Imperative: From Concept to Pending Reality
A central pillar of this reform is the establishment of state and community policing. Tinubu positioned this not as a distant aspiration but as an imminent development, contingent solely on the National Assembly completing the “required legislative processes.” This move addresses a long-standing critique of Nigeria’s centralized police force, which is often seen as overstretched and insufficiently attuned to local dynamics. State policing could enable more agile, intelligence-driven responses to kidnappings, farmer-herder conflicts, and communal violence, as local officers would have deeper community knowledge. However, its success will hinge on robust oversight to prevent abuse and ensure inter-agency coordination with federal forces.
Logistical Realities: The High Cost and Slow Pace of Modernization
The President provided rare insight into the practical hurdles of security procurement, explaining that delays in acquiring advanced military hardware are affecting public perception. He noted that such equipment is “expensive and not available off the shelf,” highlighting the global competition for resources and complex manufacturing and delivery timelines. To bridge capability gaps, Tinubu disclosed specific international engagements: an order for four attack helicopters from the United States and ongoing discussions with Turkey for additional support. This transparency on sourcing is a departure from typical opacity and helps manage expectations regarding the pace of tactical upgrades.
A Call for Collaborative Vigilance
Beyond government action, Tinubu explicitly called for a societal partnership, urging religious leaders to support efforts through “cooperation, vigilance and prayers.” This underscores the understanding that security is not solely a military operation but a whole-of-society endeavor. The role of communities in providing credible intelligence and fostering local peacebuilding is irreplaceable.
Defining Success: A Pragmatic Focus on Outcomes
In a notable comment on recent school abductions in Niger and Kebbi States, the President prioritized outcome over process, stating, “The rhetoric on how the children were released… is secondary; the end justifies the means.” This pragmatic stance may spark debate but reflects a focus on the paramount goal of victim safety, potentially alluding to complex, behind-the-scenes negotiations often necessary in such crises.
CAN’s Response: A Barometer of Cautious Optimism
The response from CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh served as a significant barometer of perceived progress. His observation that the 2025 Christmas season was notably peaceful—”the first in many years that we were not woken up by midnight calls reporting attacks on churches”—is a tangible, if preliminary, metric of improvement. Okoh’s commendation that Tinubu’s engagement “has closed the gap between the government and the Church” suggests that dialogue itself is a critical component of national security, building the social cohesion necessary to counter extremist narratives.
The Path Forward
The meeting crystallizes the Tinubu administration’s security blueprint: a combination of structural reform (state policing), international partnership for capacity building, and societal collaboration. While the promises of state policing and new hardware point to a long-term vision, the immediate testimony of a more peaceful Christmas offers a fragile hope. The true test will be in the sustained, nationwide translation of these frameworks and procurements into a definitive decline in violence and fear. The continued engagement with critical societal pillars like CAN will be essential to maintain the legitimacy and public support required for this difficult journey.
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
