Prominent Yoruba leader, Iba Gani Adams, and renowned historian, Professor Akin Alao, have jointly tackled the federal government over rising insecurity, demanding the immediate passage of the state police bill.

Speaking at the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) North America Online Summit 2026, the duo urged President Bola Tinubu and the Senate to fast-track the ongoing constitutional amendment.

The House of Representatives has already approved the decentralized policing framework.

Economic Paralysis

Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, warned that banditry, kidnapping, and communal clashes have crippled regional commerce.

"Trade and commerce have suffered immensely," Adams stated. "Nightlife and related economic activities have virtually disappeared in many cities due to fear."

He added that local and foreign investments are drying up, triggering mass unemployment and acute poverty.

To combat this, Adams proposed a multi-pronged approach:Rapid state police deploymentJoint South-West governance security initiativesYouth vocational training programsFinancial bailouts for small businesses.

Agricultural Collapse

Prof. Alao of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) warned that Nigeria`s food security is under imminent threat as regional instability targets agrarian communities.

"Greater attention must be given to rural security," Alao argued. "We must make it safe for farmers to return to their lands to boost food production."

The academic noted that the security crisis is actively de-industrializing Nigeria. He revealed that manufacturers are fleeing to neighboring nations like Ghana, while local commercial activities now grind to a halt by 6:00 PM.

Alao called for immediate funding boosts, technology-driven intelligence sharing, and a total restructuring of the national security architecture to halt the drift.