THE Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, Tuesday, said it is unrealistic for two million security personnel to protect a population of over 200 million Nigerians.
Gen. Lagbaja made this remark during the 2024 distinguished personality lecture in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The COAS, who was represented by the Chief of Army Training, Sanni Mohammed highlighted the military’s heavy reliance on imported defence equipment due to the country’s weak industrial base.
The army chief also expressed concerns over the inadequate funding of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, AFN, which he said significantly affected the military’s operational performance.
He said: “In a country of over 200 million people, it is unrealistic to expect security agencies, totalling around two million, including an army of just over 100,000 active personnel without a reserve force, to secure the entire population.
“We import over 90 per cent of our military needs,” he said, noting that despite some local production efforts, the country’s dependence on foreign military supplies remains overwhelming.
“The pursuit of national development alongside national security is a costly endeavour, as defence policy is capital-intensive.
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