The Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has accused Nigerian politicians of weaponizing insecurity for political gain, contributing to the country’s current challenges. She made this statement on Sunday during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in Lagos State.

Delivering a keynote address titled “A Social Contract For Nigeria’s Future,” the former Minister of Finance emphasized that sustainable development in Nigeria cannot be achieved without ensuring adequate security. Okonjo-Iweala asserted that the deliberate manipulation of insecurity by political actors is undermining the country’s progress and costing innocent lives.

“We cannot have socio-economic development without security,” she stated. “We certainly cannot have security without development. We all know that security has been weaponized in our country for political purposes by political actors, leading partly to the situation we have now.”

She condemned the actions of politicians who, she said, deliberately instigate insecurity to make their opponents appear incapable of governing, regardless of the devastating consequences for the lives and properties of innocent Nigerians. “This has to stop,” Okonjo-Iweala urged, calling for an end to such harmful practices.

In addition to her critique of political manipulation, Okonjo-Iweala highlighted the detrimental impact of massive crude oil theft on Nigeria’s economy. She noted that the ongoing theft of crude oil is severely weakening the nation’s foreign reserves, a problem that has persisted for years.

According to Okonjo-Iweala, the technological tools necessary to track and combat crude oil theft are readily available, and there should be no excuses for not deploying them effectively. “All Nigerians must agree that stealing our national assets of any type is intolerable and must be stopped,” she said, emphasizing the need for decisive action against those involved in such illegal activities.

“There is so much technology available now to track such theft, and there must be no more excuses for inaction,” she concluded, calling on the government and relevant authorities to take immediate steps to safeguard Nigeria’s resources and ensure the security of its citizens.

Okonjo-Iweala’s remarks have sparked a renewed discussion on the role of political leadership in addressing Nigeria’s security and economic challenges. As the country continues to grapple with these issues, her call for a stronger social contract and a commitment to action resonates with many Nigerians who are eager for change.