A human rights activist and Executive Director of the Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), Idris Miliki Abdul, has warned that rising insecurity, poverty and governance failures are undermining decent work and national stability in Nigeria.
Abdul made the remarks during a presentation at the pre-2026 International Workers’ Day ceremony organised by the Kogi State Council of Organised Labour in Lokoja on April 30, 2026.
Speaking on the theme, “Insecurity, Poverty — Bane of Decent Work,” the activist linked worsening insecurity across Nigeria to unemployment, inequality, poor governance and weak coordination among security agencies.
He said while Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees civil and political rights, millions of citizens remain unable to enjoy those rights because of poverty and lack of access to essential services.
“You can have the right to vote and still be excluded by poverty; you can have freedom of expression and still be silenced by illiteracy; you can have the right to life and still be denied lifesaving healthcare because you cannot pay,” he said.
Abdul argued that socio-economic exclusion fuels grievances that often escalate into violence and instability, describing the situation as a major national security concern.
Referring to recent security developments in Kogi State, he commended the state government for temporarily shutting schools, markets and motor parks in parts of Kogi West as a proactive response to security threats.
He, however, condemned the reported abduction of children and staff members from the Zango-Daji Orphanage Home, describing the incident as disturbing and unacceptable.
The CHRCR director stressed the need for stronger community-based security structures, proposing the recruitment of at least 20 trained vigilantes in each ward across Kogi State to complement conventional security agencies.
According to him, many security personnel deployed to volatile areas are federal officers who are frequently redeployed and may not understand local languages and terrain.
“Community resilience, engagement and support can do a lot to address the violent extremism currently being experienced in our environment,” he said.
Abdul further noted that violent extremism in Nigeria is largely driven by governance failures, corruption, inequality, unemployment and lack of opportunities, which he said make vulnerable citizens susceptible to radicalisation.
He also criticised what he described as fragmented responses to violent extremism, saying interventions by federal, state and local actors often operate without coordination, resulting in duplication and weak impact.
To address the challenge, he called for a harmonised national framework for preventing and countering violent extremism.
“A unified approach will ensure that all actors are working toward a common vision, with clearly defined roles and measurable outcomes,” he said.
On poverty eradication, Abdul described poverty in Nigeria as “deep, widespread and multifaceted,” blaming decades of corruption, poor governance and unequal resource distribution for worsening hardship across the country.
He warned that persistent poverty threatens democracy and national development, adding that insecurity and economic deprivation are closely connected.
The activist also urged the media, civil society groups and organised labour to intensify public awareness campaigns and advocate policies that empower local communities.
According to him, decentralisation, local empowerment and accountable governance remain critical to tackling poverty and insecurity sustainably.
“The Nigerian Constitution does not give us the luxury of choosing between rights and security. It commands us to pursue both,” Abdul said.
“Security without welfare is brittle; welfare without security is fragile.”
