BY
DAME COMFORT OTERA CHIGBUE, ESQ., JP.
ON 3RD DECEMBER, 2024

Introduction
Good day and lovely greetings, Your Excellency, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), your Eminences/Co-Chairmen of NIREC, the Executive Secretary of NIREC, Your Graces, and Your Lordships, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is both a privilege and a solemn duty to address an issue that strikes at the heart of our Nation’s prosperity and stability – the interplay between our vast Natural Resources and the scourge of insecurity in Nigeria.

It is true that Nigeria is blessed beyond measure, with an abundance of natural resources that could serve as a foundation for economic growth, social development, and national unity. However, the paradox is evident: these blessings have, in many cases, become a source of strife, division, and insecurity. Today, I will explore this paradox, examine its causes, and propose pathways to a more secure and prosperous future for all Nigerians.

What Constitute our Natural Resources in Nigeria?
In a nutshell, our National Resources are so numerous and ranges from the oil fields of the Niger Delta to the Solid Minerals in the North.

Nigeria’s natural resources are diverse as well as valuable.

These resources, which include Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Gold, Limestone, and an array of agricultural products, like Cocoa, Rubber, Sorghum, Rice, Palm Oil, Kolanut, groundnuts, Yams, etc. have the potential to Transform our Economy and improve the lives of millions of Nigerians if properly managed and well guided.
However, the management and exploitation of these resources have often created unintended consequences. Oil, our primary export, has fueled conflicts in the Niger Delta due to Environmental Degradation, perceived Inequities in Resource Distribution, and lack of Local Development. Similarly, illegal mining in states like Zamfara has not only deprived the government of revenue but has also fueled banditry and armed
conflicts.

Natural resources, instead of being a blessing, are increasingly linked to insecurity, as various groups compete to control them or benefit from their revenues illegally.
What is Insecurity in Nigeria?
This can be defined as a state of being vulnerable to danger or injury, or as lack of protection, or a state of fear or anxiety or as a failure of government to provide basic needs and services to the people.
Insecurity issues in Nigeria have led to a number of Economic and Social Consequences, for example:
Loss of Life: Insecurity has led to the loss of so many lives.

Disability: A lot of persons have suffered so many disabilities due to insecurity in our country, Nigeria.
Disruption to the Economy: The Economy of our dear country Nigeria, have been disrupted severally due to insecurity which have caused a great loss in our Economic earnings.
Destruction of Property: Several and uncountable properties have been destroyed due to insecurity in some parts of the country.
Discouragement of Investment: Insecurity has affected both domestic and foreign investments.
Undermining of developmental Projects: Insecurity has undermine the implementation of developmental projects.
What is the Nexus or Connection between Natural Resources and Insecurity; the Question is why have our Natural Resources become a trigger for insecurity?
The answers lies in several interconnected factors:

1. Environmental Degradation: Oil spills, gas flaring, and mining activities have destroyed livelihoods in affected regions. Frustrated communities, feeling neglected and abandoned, sometimes resort to militancy as a form of protest.

2. Organized Crime: Armed groups exploit resources to fund their activities. In the North, illegal gold mining finances bandits, while in the Niger Delta, oil theft funds militancy.
3. Ethnic and Religious Tensions: Resource control disputes often exacerbate existing ethnic and religious divides, leading to clashes and long-standing enmity.
4. Unemployment and Poverty: Despite our resource wealth, unemployment remains high. Idle hands, especially among the youth, become easy recruits for criminal activities and insurgencies, as the phrase goes – “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop”.
What then is the way forward?
The way forward is harnessing resources for Security and Growth. It is imperative and necessary that we break this vicious cycle and reclaim our resources as instruments of peace and progress. To do so, we must focus on the following strategies:
1. Transparent and Inclusive Resource Management: The government must ensure that revenues from natural resources are managed transparently and equitably. Establishing accountability mechanisms and involving local communities in resource governance is critical.
2. Environmental Protection: Industries exploiting natural resources must adhere to strict environmental standards. Cleaning up polluted areas, such as Ogoni Land, will help restore trust and reduce tensions in affected communities. 3. Job Creation: Using resource revenues to create employment opportunities, particularly for youth, will reduce the allure of criminal activities. Investments in infrastructure, agriculture, and technology can generate sustainable livelihoods.
4. Strengthening Security Measures: The government must invest in intelligence, policing, and military operations to combat illegal resource exploitation and the violence it breeds. At the same time, dialogue and negotiation with aggrieved groups can complement these efforts.
5. Diversifying the Economy: Overreliance on oil has made our economy and security vulnerable. By diversifying into sectors like agriculture, technology, and

manufacturing, we can reduce the pressure on natural resources and create a more balanced economic landscape.
6. Legal Framework: People oriented legal framework and legislations especially on Public Revenue FISCAL FEDERALISM and Revenue Allocation where Revenue generation and resource earnings would be distributed in accordance with the principles of SUSTENANCE AND BENEFITS to SOURCES of DERIVATION, that is, 70% to be retained by States and Local Governments and 30% by the National.

Conclusion

Your Excellency, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), your Eminences/Co-Chairmen of NIREC, the Executive Secretary of NIREC, Your Graces, and Your Lordships, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, the story of Nigeria’s natural resources does not have to remain one of lost opportunities and persistent insecurity. However, the good news is that, together, we can transform these resources into a source of Unity, Stability, and Prosperity.
Resting on the help of God our Creator for wisdom, justice and better governance let us join hands as stakeholders to thrive and institute good governance, support sustainable practices, and actively participate in shaping the policies that determine how our resources are used.

In conclusion and significantly too, the story of Nigeria natural resources does not have to remain the way it is, since the future of Nigéria depends not just on the wealth beneath our soil but on how we manage it for the benefit of every citizen.

Thank you, and may God bless Nigeria.