Governor Alia: Illiteracy, Poverty Fuel Nigeria's Insecurity, Urges Education-Led Reforms
By Aviashima Toom, Abuja Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has identified illiteracy and poverty as two of the most significant drivers of Nigeria's persistent insecurity, arguing that sustainable peace can only be achieved by addressing the root causes of violence through quality education, stronger institutions, and constitutional reforms. Speaking as the inaugural guest lecturer at the Quarterly Lecture Series of Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja (formerly the University of Abuja), Governor Alia delivered a lecture titled "Insecurity and Education in Nigeria and the Quest for Development." His presentation examined the relationship between education, governance, and the country's security challenges. According to the governor, Nigeria has experienced an alarming rise in insecurity over the past decade, ranging from Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and farmer-herder conflicts to other forms of violent criminality that hav...