Dr. Evans Woherem, an award-winning African technology researcher, analyst, and writer, has proposed a comprehensive and implementable strategy to end terrorism, banditry, and criminal violence in Nigeria, warning that the country’s prolonged insecurity has reached a critical point that demands urgent, coordinated action.

Titled “A Comprehensive Strategy for Ending Terrorism, Banditry, and Criminal Violence in Nigeria: A Pragmatic, Multi-Layered, and Implementable Framework,” the paper presents a holistic roadmap designed to reverse more than a decade of escalating violence that has claimed thousands of lives, displaced communities, weakened local economies, and eroded public trust in governance.

According to him, insecurity has become deeply entrenched in everyday life across the country. “Terrorism, banditry, and criminal violence have become so commonplace that they now dominate daily conversations among Nigerians,” Dr. Woherem noted, adding that while the crisis is most acute in the North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions, “its effects are now being felt even in the southern parts of the country.”

Citing the 2025 Global Terrorism Index, which ranks Nigeria sixth globally in terms of terrorism impact, Dr. Woherem described the ranking as “a sobering statistical confirmation that terrorism still weighs heavily on the Nigerian state.”

The paper traces the roots of the crisis to the emergence of Boko Haram in 2009 and the subsequent rise of splinter groups such as ISWAP. It recalls high-profile incidents including the 2014 abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, the Dapchi and Kankara kidnappings, and a series of mass abductions and attacks on schools and places of worship recorded in 2025.

Dr. Woherem observed that banditry, largely driven by ransom payments, “has spread across the entire nation, creating fear, weakening productivity, and pushing millions of households deeper into poverty.”

While acknowledging the role of military action, the author cautioned against relying on force alone. “Nigeria cannot defeat insurgency and violent crime through arms and ammunition alone,” he said. “Any sustainable solution must confront the internal conditions that allow insecurity to thrive.”

Among the key drivers identified in the paper by Dr. Woherem, are porous borders, arms proliferation, youth unemployment, economic stagnation, and persistent conflicts over land and resources, challenges Dr. Woherem stressed can be addressed through “a deliberate, intelligence-led, and whole-of-society approach.”

At the heart of the proposed framework, Woherem noted, is a call for intelligence-driven security operations, including the establishment of a National Counter-Insurgency and Intelligence Fusion Centre. “Security operations must be guided by accurate, actionable intelligence rather than fear-led mass actions that often harm civilians and undermine public trust,” he stated.

The paper also advocates comprehensive policing reforms, including the creation of constitutionally backed state police systems supported by a more specialized federal police structure. “Nigeria’s over-centralised policing model is structurally incapable of effectively addressing widespread criminality across such a vast and diverse country.”

Recognising the realities at the grassroots, Woherem calls for the formal regulation of community-based security groups, and noted that “ignoring vigilante groups is dangerous, and banning them outright is unrealistic,” but stressed that their roles must be clearly defined, regulated, and subject to strict oversight.

On border security, particularly in the Lake Chad Basin, the author warned that instability in neighbouring countries continues to fuel Nigeria’s insecurity. “No permanent solution is possible without deep regional cooperation,” he said, advocating an Integrated Border Management system supported by joint operations with neighbouring states.

The paper places strong emphasis on prevention through economic inclusion, youth employment, and skills development. “Jobs and income remain the most powerful tools for preventing recruitment into violent groups,” Dr. Woherem asserted, adding that immediate livelihood opportunities significantly weaken the appeal of extremist narratives.

He also called for structured deradicalisation and reintegration programmes, noting that “a humane, community-accepted process is essential for breaking cycles of violence and preventing relapse into extremism.”

Dr. Woherem further emphasised the need for governance reforms and accountability in the security sector. “Without transparency, oversight, and institutional integrity, even the best security strategies will fail,” he warned.

The white paper outlines a phased implementation plan from 2025 to 2030, beginning with intelligence fusion, pilot state police initiatives, community security registration, drone surveillance, and financial crackdowns on terror networks, before expanding into nationwide reforms and long-term consolidation.

Concluding, Dr. Woherem expressed cautious optimism about Nigeria’s future. “Nigeria can overcome this prolonged phase of insecurity,” he said, “but only through political will, coordinated institutions, and the active participation of society.”

He added that the proposed framework offers “a realistic pathway to restoring security, rebuilding public trust, and unlocking Nigeria’s vast human and economic potential.”

Building on the successful conclusion of the 17th replenishment of the African Development Fund (ADF-17), which mobilised $11 billion for Africa’s most vulnerable countries, the African Development Bank Group and the Government of the United Kingdom convened global investors and private sector leaders in London to accelerate a new phase of private capital mobilisation for Africa’s development.

The inaugural Africa Private Capital Mobilisation Day, held on 17 December at Lancaster House, brought together more than 150 senior decision-makers from private equity firms, sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, insurers, philanthropies, and development finance institutions and export credit agencies—marking a decisive shift from dialogue to execution.

The high-level event was hosted by the African Development Bank Group in partnership with UK government institutions, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, UK Export Finance and British International Investment, reflecting a shared ambition to scale private capital flows into African economies.

Speaking at the opening, African Development Bank Group President Dr Sidi Ould Tah described the event as a natural continuation of the ADF-17 replenishment process and a decisive step toward addressing Africa’s estimated $402 billion annual development financing gap.

“We will build on recent engagements with development finance institutions, export credit agencies, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, insurers, and philanthropic partners to advance concrete initiatives under our vision for a New African Financial Architecture,” said Dr Ould Tah.

The Africa Private Capital Mobilisation Day aligns with President Ould Tah’s Four Cardinal Points vision, which focuses on unlocking Africa’s capital potential, strengthening financial sovereignty, transforming demographic growth into a dividend, and delivering resilient infrastructure and value chains.

UK Minister for Development, Jenny Chapman said, “We are delighted that President Ould Tah decided to hold the first Private Capital Mobilisation Day here in London, recognising the critical role of the City of London in mobilising investment for Africa. The UK’s shifting role—from donor to investor—will support countries who want to grow their economies and ultimately ultimately exit the need for aid.”

The programme featured focused discussions on reshaping perceptions of risk in Africa, designing innovative financial platforms, and mobilising capital in fragile and frontier markets.

New analysis on the Global Emerging Markets Risk Database delivered by the Center for Global Development presented new evidence showing that long-term lending to African borrowers has historically been significantly less risky than commonly perceived.

Sector-focused discussions underscored the strategic role of healthcare and aviation in strengthening Africa’s economic resilience, productivity and integration. Participants were introduced to two flagship initiatives championed by the Bank Group and its partners:

– The Africa Medicines and Equipment Facility, developed in partnership with the Gates Foundation, will provide African countries with predictable, timely, and affordable financing to secure essential medicines and medical equipment.

– The Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme for Africa—supported by a dedicated blended-finance facility—aims to modernise and expand Africa’s aviation ecosystem—from airports and airlines to enabling services critical to trade, tourism, and regional integration.

In parallel, President Ould Tah convened a closed-door roundtable with senior executives from approximately 30 leading institutional investors to explore the launch of an Africa-focused Private Sector Innovation Lab. The proposed platform would serve as a dedicated space to co-create new financing instruments, partnership models, and risk-sharing solutions tailored to African markets.

The outcomes of the Africa Private Capital Mobilisation Day are captured in the London Communiqué, setting out clear commitments by the African Development Bank Group and its partners to scale private capital mobilisation for Africa.

Further work will go into setting out priority actions and implementation pathways to scale private capital mobilisation for Africa, turning ambition into scalable capital and risk mitigation solutions.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has announced that the National Identification Number (NIN) will automatically serve as the Tax Identification Number (TIN) for individual Nigerians beginning in 2026.

The clarification was issued on Monday through a public awareness campaign on the new tax laws shared by the Service on X.

According to the FIRS, registered businesses will also no longer need a separate Tax Identification Number, as their Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration numbers will now function as their official tax identifiers under the revised tax framework.

The announcement follows public concerns over aspects of the new tax laws that require a Tax ID for certain transactions, including the operation and ownership of bank accounts.

Providing further explanation, the FIRS said the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA), scheduled to take effect in January 2026, mandates the use of a Tax ID for specified transactions. It, however, noted that the requirement is not entirely new, stressing that it has been in existence since the Finance Act of 2019 but has now been strengthened.

“The Tax ID unifies all Tax Identification Numbers previously issued by the FIRS and State Internal Revenue Services into a single identifier,” the Service said.

“For individuals, your NIN automatically serves as your Tax ID, while for registered companies, your CAC RC number is used. You do not need a physical card, as the Tax ID is a unique number linked directly to your identity.”

The FIRS explained that the new system is intended to simplify identification processes, eliminate duplication, close gaps that enable tax evasion, and promote fairness by ensuring that all individuals earning taxable income contribute accordingly.

The agency also urged Nigerians to ignore misinformation surrounding the reform, assuring the public that the new tax framework is designed to improve efficiency and transparency in tax administration.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed that banks will be required to request a TIN from all taxable Nigerians as part of the federal government’s new tax administration framework, which will take effect on January 1, 2026.