By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, June 14, 2026.
The Chairman/CEO of Equipment & Protective Applications International Limited (EPAIL Nigeria), Mr Kola Balogun, says weak local government administration remains one of the major factors fueling insecurity and insurgency across Nigeria.
Balogun stated this during the Nigerian People’s Strategic Conference and Defence Exhibition 2026 in Abuja, where he highlighted the importance of grassroots governance in addressing security challenges.
According to him, insecurity often thrives in areas where citizens have little or no visible presence of government institutions and services.
“One of the root causes of insecurity and insurgency is the disconnect between governance and the grassroots.
“In many local government areas, citizens have little or no visible presence of government. Where government presence is weak, insecurity finds fertile ground,” he said.
Balogun said strengthening local government administration would help address poverty, unemployment and other socio-economic conditions that often create opportunities for criminality.
He noted that effective governance at the grassroots level could improve citizens’ confidence in government and contribute significantly to national security and development.
“Strengthening local government administration is therefore critical to addressing insecurity.
“Effective governance at the grassroots level can help reduce poverty, create opportunities and improve citizens’ confidence in the state,” he said.
The EPAIL chairman urged governments at all levels to continue exploring ways of improving local governance and promoting competent leadership in local councils.
He stressed that strong local government institutions remained essential for sustainable peace, security and economic development.
“I believe we must continue to explore ways of improving local governance and encouraging competent leadership at the grassroots.
“Strong local government institutions are essential to national security and development,” he said.
Balogun also advocated a greater role for local governments in supporting community security initiatives through the procurement of locally manufactured security equipment.
According to him, such measures will not only improve security at the community level but also stimulate indigenous manufacturing and economic growth.
“In addition, local governments can play a major role in supporting community security initiatives by procuring locally produced protective equipment and other security-related tools.
“Such actions would not only enhance security but also stimulate local manufacturing and economic growth,” he said.
Balogun called for stronger collaboration between government and the private sector to build a self-reliant defence industry capable of meeting Nigeria’s security needs.
The conference has as its theme “Building a Modern Security Ecosystem: Integrating Private Sector Capacity into Nigeria’s National Security Architecture”.
It brought together top government and military officials, defence industries players, private security operators and youths from across the country to proffer solutions to the nation’s security challenges.