A security analyst, Bulama Bukarti, has cautioned that the mere rotation or replacement of Nigeria’s service chiefs will not bring lasting solutions to the country’s deep-rooted security problems.
Speaking during a media interview, Bukarti acknowledged the impressive credentials of the newly appointed service chiefs but emphasized that what Nigeria needs are genuine institutional reforms, not just a reshuffling of top military officers.
He noted that while leadership changes can inject new energy into the system, they often fail to address the structural weaknesses within the nation’s security architecture such as poor coordination among security agencies, underfunding, inadequate intelligence gathering, and corruption.
Bukarti further argued that Nigeria’s security crisis has evolved beyond what personnel changes can fix, adding that without strategic policy reforms, effective oversight, and community-based approaches, insecurity will persist across the country.
He called on the federal government to focus on strengthening accountability within the security sector, improving the welfare of frontline officers, and investing in technology-driven intelligence operations.
According to him, sustainable peace and stability will only be achieved when reforms are implemented to modernize the armed forces and ensure transparency in the management of security resources.
Bukarti’s comments come amid renewed debate over President Bola Tinubu’s decision to appoint new service chiefs, a move many Nigerians had hoped would mark a turning point in the fight against terrorism, banditry, and other forms of violent crime.
