By Samuel Torlumun, Abuja
The President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Chief Emeka Obegolu, (SAN) has raised serious concerns over the growing insecurity across Nigeria, describing it as a direct and escalating threat to business growth, investor confidence, and national productivity.
Speaking at the 2025 ACCI End-of-Year Media Parley in Abuja, Chief Obegolu called for urgent, coordinated national action to address insecurity, modernise livestock management through ranching reforms, and deploy satellite technology to curb illegal mining and related criminal activities.
Welcoming journalists to the parley, the ACCI President expressed deep appreciation to the media for its consistent role in promoting national development through “balanced, factual, and responsible reportage.” He noted that the press remains a vital partner in shaping public opinion and amplifying the concerns and aspirations of Nigeria’s business community.
“This gathering gives us an opportunity to reflect on our collective progress in 2025 and to acknowledge the indispensable role of the media in driving positive change,” Obegolu said.
The ACCI President warned that insecurity, manifesting as banditry, kidnapping, farmer-herder conflicts, and illegal mining, has continued to disrupt economic activities nationwide. According to him, these challenges have inflated logistics costs, displaced farmers, endangered workers, and weakened supply chains.
“The consequences are already visible,” he said. “Some businesses have halted expansion plans, others have suspended projects, while many investors are redirecting capital to safer locations within or outside Nigeria.”
He cautioned that if the situation persists, Nigeria risks capital flight, declining productivity, eroded investor confidence, and worsening socio-economic conditions.
“No nation can achieve meaningful economic growth without prioritising security. A secure country attracts investment; an insecure one repels it,” Obegolu stressed.
Calling on the Federal Government, state governments, security agencies, and other stakeholders, the ACCI President urged the adoption of bold, innovative, and coordinated strategies to restore safety across the country.
“Nigeria’s economic stability depends on urgent and collective action,” he said, adding that security must be treated as a foundational requirement for development.
Chief Obegolu identified the long-standing farmer–herder conflict, largely driven by open grazing, as a major contributor to rural insecurity. He described open grazing as an outdated practice that continues to fuel communal clashes, farmland destruction, and population displacement.
The ACCI, he said, strongly supports a national transition to modern livestock management systems, including structured grazing reserves, ranching estates, feedlots, and livestock development and veterinary centres.
“Properly managed ranches will boost dairy and meat productivity, create thousands of jobs, reduce pressure on farmlands, and eliminate a major source of rural conflict,” he noted.
He emphasised that private sector participation is critical to ensuring sustainable financing, innovation, and efficiency across the livestock value chain.
Addressing the challenge of illegal mining, Obegolu described it as a major source of insecurity, environmental degradation, and revenue loss for the country. He advocated the deployment of advanced satellite and space-based monitoring systems to detect illegal mining activities in real time, track land-use changes, and strengthen regulatory oversight.
“With modern geospatial intelligence, Nigeria can curb illegal mining, protect vulnerable communities, and restore investor confidence in the solid minerals sector,” he said.
The ACCI President stressed that national security and economic transformation require active collaboration among government institutions, security agencies, private sector organisations, traditional and community leaders, and civil society groups.
“Working together, we can design and implement effective policies that enhance security, promote orderly livestock management, deter illegal mining, and strengthen the ease of doing business in Nigeria,” he stated.
Looking ahead to 2026, Obegolu unveiled a robust programme of activities designed to strengthen Nigeria’s business ecosystem within a secure and stable environment. A major highlight is the proposed ACCI–NACCIMA Livestock Summit 2026, aimed at accelerating reforms in the livestock sector.
He also acknowledged the Nigeria Livestock Transformation Programme (NLTP) as a critical government initiative for modernising livestock production, reducing conflicts, improving animal health systems, and supporting rural development.
In addition, the ACCI plans to champion a national campaign on green technology and energy efficiency, alongside a wide range of conferences, exhibitions, trade fairs, and capacity-building programmes. These include the Abuja International Trade Fair, Renewable Energy and Circular Economy conferences, international investment forums, ADR and infrastructure workshops, women-focused business summits, and over 60 local and international training programmes.
Reaffirming the Chamber’s commitment as the voice of the organised private sector in the Federal Capital Territory, Obegolu pledged continued collaboration with government at all levels to restore security, protect investments, and drive sustainable economic growth.
He underscored the critical role of the media in national advocacy.
“By shining a light on insecurity, ranching reforms, and illegal mining, the media helps hold leaders accountable and inspires timely action. Your role is indispensable in our journey toward a safer and more prosperous Nigeria,” he said.
The parley ended with a renewed call for unity among government, the private sector, civil society, and the media to rebuild confidence, attract investment, and secure Nigeria’s economic future.
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