UNICAL Vice Chancellor calls for drastic action to curb insecurity in Nigeria

Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong, Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), has called for drastic measures to tackle Nigeria’s rising insecurity.

He characterized insecurity as a major national challenge that requires decisive and sustained action for Nigeria to achieve meaningful development.

Offiong delivered his remarks at the 2nd International Hybrid Conference 2026, organized by the Faculty of Social Sciences, whose theme was “Insecurity and National Development: Is the Nigerian State at a crossroad?”

He warned that insecurity cannot be handled lightly, urging governments, institutions, and citizens to adopt bold strategies that tackle both immediate threats and underlying causes.

Prof. Anthony Eneji, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Linkages and Collaborations, represented him.

Offiong added that national development cannot flourish in an environment where lives and property are insecure.

He noted that the Department of Criminology and Security Studies can complement state security efforts, explaining that UNICAL has positioned itself as a hub for research, training, and policy advice on contemporary security matters.

According to him, the department produces graduates equipped with contemporary skills in crime prevention, intelligence analysis, and conflict management.

Prof. Offiong added that UNICAL welcomes collaboration with security agencies at all levels to bridge the gap between academia and practice.

He noted that by partnering closely with the military, police, and other security institutions, UNICAL can translate academic research into practical tools for intelligence gathering, threat assessment, and community engagement, ensuring evidence‑based solutions tailored to Nigeria’s realities.

CP Rashid Afegbua, Chairman of the conference and Cross River State Commissioner of Police, said that effectively tackling security challenges requires proactive, technology‑driven policing strategies.

He recommended creating a dedicated state cybercrime and digital evidence unit to investigate digital offences and support intelligence‑led operations.

The police chief said security agencies should also prioritize regular training for officers in digital evidence collection, preservation, and analysis to improve investigations and secure successful prosecutions.

He added that strengthening liaison and operational collaboration with sister agencies will enhance intelligence sharing and enable coordinated responses to security threats.

CP Afegbua stressed that security is too important to rely solely on security agencies, noting that while other law‑enforcement bodies play critical roles, sustainable security ultimately requires collective responsibility from government, institutions, and citizens.