In Abuja, the conversation around Nigeria’s persistent insecurity has taken on a new dimension. Beyond talk of manpower shortages and policy failures, a respected academic leader has called out the slow pace at which governments adopt modern technology as a fundamental factor undermining national security efforts. His remarks come as part of reflections ahead of his departure from a key national institution.
Prof Promise Mebine, who recently completed his tenure as Director of the National Mathematical Centre (NMC), spoke frankly about how a lack of willingness to deploy advanced and data-driven tools is costing the nation dearly. According to him, the pattern of security challenges we see every day – from banditry and kidnapping to organised criminal networks – is linked to this technological gap.
“What we are facing today is not just about boots on the ground,” he said. “It is about connecting the dots in the digital age. Bandits camp in forests yet run social media. They claim there is no network, but there is. That tells you what our approach has been.” His point reflects a deeper concern: that policy and technology are moving at different speeds, with insecurity outpacing both.
Professor Mebine’s reflections cut across education, governance and security policy. They are part of a wider debate in Nigeria about how to harness digital tools and data systems to improve public safety. Across recent years, policymakers and stakeholders have also urged the use of digital identity systems and intelligence technologies to strengthen tracking of suspected criminals and better coordinate responses to threats.
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Education, Mathematics and National Development
The conversation about technology, for Prof Mebine, begins with education. In his view, Nigeria’s development challenges, including insecurity, are rooted in a broader neglect of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). He argued that mathematics – often dismissed or feared – is foundational not only to technology but to structured thinking and problem-solving. The curricula that shape future professionals must reflect this reality.
“Our national response to problems like insecurity must start with how we train and empower our people,” he said. “Mathematics is not just a school subject. It underpins everything from artificial intelligence to encryption systems that can help secure data, build surveillance technology, and model patterns of criminal activity.”
In his tenure at the NMC, he pushed for greater integration of mathematical and scientific tools across institutions and emphasised international collaborations to strengthen research capacity in areas such as automation and artificial intelligence.
Observers note that this focus resonates with calls by other Nigerian leaders and stakeholders who have urged government agencies at all levels to embrace digital technology, including data integration, smart systems, and intelligence platforms that support law enforcement.
The Gap Between Policy and Practice
Mebine’s comments spotlight a gap that many experts have pointed out: policy commitments are often made without a clear pathway to implementation. Nigeria has established frameworks to fight cybercrime and protect digital infrastructure, reflecting legislative and strategic attempts to secure the digital realm, but enforcement and practical adoption remain uneven.
Across government, there have been periodic calls for digital transformation. Various forums, including meetings of state governors and the military, have acknowledged that technology could change the security landscape if adopted fully and strategically. Yet, for many Nigerians experiencing insecurity daily, these discussions have not translated into tangible changes in their communities.
A technology-driven approach could involve tools like real-time surveillance analytics, biometric tracking, drones for remote monitoring, and advanced data sharing between security agencies. Experts argue that countries facing complex security threats increasingly rely on such systems to detect patterns, predict risks, and act proactively rather than reactively.
For too long, critics say, Nigeria’s security architecture has focused on traditional responses without matching investments in the systems that support modern intelligence gathering and analysis. The challenge is not only about funding but also about political will, institutional capacity, and long-term vision.
Insecurity in Context
The insecurity that Prof Mebine referenced is multifaceted. For many Nigerians, threats come from armed bandits, kidnappers, insurgent groups, and criminal networks that operate in both rural and urban environments. The consequences are severe: loss of lives, disrupted economic activities, forced displacements, and declining investor confidence. Analysts have also noted the socio-economic dimensions of insecurity, including poverty, youth unemployment, and limited opportunities, which often make communities vulnerable to recruitment by criminal networks.
Addressing these issues requires more than traditional policing. Digital tools, if embraced, could provide visibility into patterns of movement, communication, and financing of criminal activities. For example, comprehensive data systems that link identity information with mobile usage and financial transactions can help identify anomalies tied to criminal behaviour. Such systems have been adopted in various forms in other countries to enhance law enforcement’s ability to anticipate and disrupt threats.
Within this context, the reluctance to integrate technology into national strategies isn’t simply a technical issue. It reflects broader challenges of governance, coordination, and institutional incentive structures. Leaders in the security and technology sectors argue that meaningful progress will require reforms that align policy objectives with practical capacities, training programmes, and sustained funding.
A Call for Change
As Prof Mebine transitions from his role at the NMC to take on new responsibilities as a vice-chancellor at a federal university, his message remains clear: Nigeria must do better in aligning its ambitions with the tools of the 21st century.
His call to action prioritises education, capacity building, and a mindset shift where technology is seen not as an optional add-on but as an essential element of national security and development. This vision places mathematics and science at the heart of national problem-solving and urges policymakers to break out of old patterns that have limited Nigeria’s progress.
In his words, “If we want to grow as a country, we must align ourselves with core education. Most of the problems we have are because we do not seem to respect the principles of education.”
For many Nigerians watching the nation’s insecurity evolve, his remarks echo a broader frustration with slow reform and highlight a larger opportunity: to transform not just how the government tackles threats, but how the next generation is equipped to build solutions. The challenge now is for policymakers, security agencies, educators and the private sector to take these insights and translate them into action that delivers safer communities and a more secure future.
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