With preparations for the 2027 general elections already generating political activity across the country, the Federal Government has urged Nigerian youths to reject violence, hate speech, ethnic prejudice and religious intolerance in the interest of national peace.
Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), gave the warning at the National Christian Youth Security Summit and Thanksgiving organised by the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) in Abuja.
Musa, who was represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Security and Intelligence, Musa Likita, described youths as a critical component of Nigeria’s security architecture and urged them to resist attempts by political actors and criminal elements to exploit their vulnerabilities.
The minister warned that the recruitment of young people into criminality, violent extremism, cybercrime, drug abuse, ethnic hatred, religious intolerance and political violence could have devastating consequences for the country.
He said insecurity could not be addressed through military operations alone, stressing that sustainable security required cooperation among government institutions, communities, religious organisations, traditional institutions, civil society groups and young people.
According to Musa, factors such as unemployment, poverty, radicalisation, misinformation and social exclusion create conditions that make vulnerable youths susceptible to manipulation.
He therefore called for greater investment in youth empowerment, education, skills development and meaningful participation in nation-building.
Musa also urged young Nigerians to resist financial inducements and drugs allegedly used by criminal and political elements to influence them into violent activities. He encouraged youths to channel their energy and creativity into productive areas, including technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, engineering, software development and entrepreneurship.
He stressed that national security now extends beyond military strength to include economic, food, energy, cyber, environmental, community and human security.
President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, described the summit as timely, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections. He urged participants to ensure that the event produced practical commitments that would contribute to peaceful elections.
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, represented at the event, also urged young people not to allow themselves to be used as political thugs.
A major highlight of the gathering was the signing of a National Christian-Muslim Youth Peace Accord. YOWICAN National Chairman, Ademola Daniel Arowolo, said the initiative was aimed at promoting interfaith understanding, rejecting violence and hate speech, and strengthening peaceful coexistence.
Musa maintained that young Nigerians must see themselves not merely as leaders of tomorrow but as active partners in building a peaceful and secure Nigeria.
