As insecurity continues to threaten the Lake Chad region, civil society organizations from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger are advocating for a balanced approach that integrates technological advancements with long-term socio-economic solutions.
During the 5th Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum in Yobe State, Ambassador Usman Aliyu, Director-General of the Borno State Agency for Great Green Walls, stressed that while technology can aid security efforts, the most effective solution lies in rebuilding communities and fostering an agriculture-driven economy.
He emphasized that sustainable livelihoods would reduce resource-based conflicts and enhance regional stability.
Dr. Murtala Mohammad, Chief Executive Officer of the System Strategy and Policy Lab, highlighted the importance of human-centered development. He called for regional leaders to invest in education, vocational training, and community empowerment to break the cycle of poverty and insurgency recruitment.
He also proposed a centralized system to monitor population movements and arms trafficking, ensuring that security efforts are data-driven and effective.
Aisha Kabu Damboa, Executive Director of Zenith of the Girl Child and Women Initiative Support (ZEGCAWIS), underscored the need for social cohesion, particularly in communities near the lake. She urged governments to focus on trust-building initiatives, strengthen local governance, and ensure security awareness programs reach marginalized groups.
A forum participant emphasized that youth unemployment remains a major driver of extremism. He warned that unless governments actively involve young people in decision-making and create meaningful economic opportunities, efforts to curb terrorism would remain ineffective.
He stressed that investing in job creation, entrepreneurship, and leadership development is crucial to preventing radicalization and fostering long-term peace in the region.
As stakeholders continue to push for sustainable solutions, there is a growing consensus that security technology alone is insufficient. Without addressing the root causes of instability—poverty, unemployment, and social disintegration—lasting peace in the Lake Chad region may remain elusive.
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