Security Essential for Nigeria's Economic Growth, Says AANI

At the 5th Distinguished AANI Alumni Lecture held at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, Plateau State, Ambassador Emmanuel Obi Okafor, President of the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI), called for a secure and stable environment to unlock Nigeria’s Orange Economy. He described security as essential for entrepreneurship, innovation, investment, and sustainable national development.

The lecture, themed “The Orange Economy and Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Security as a Primary Enabler,” gathered policymakers, academics, and security experts. Okafor highlighted the potential of Nigeria’s creative industries, including music, film, and digital content, to drive economic growth and employment but stressed that this potential requires investment in skills, infrastructure, and a secure operating environment.

He urged policymakers to adopt a broader view of national security that includes economic opportunity and social inclusion. Professor Ayo Omotayo, Director-General of NIPSS, supported this view, noting that Nigeria's creative talent can lead to economic transformation if the right conditions are met.