He maintained that safety of citizens remains fundamental to national growth and stability.
Mr Arthur-Ugwa said only a coordinated response would effectively address the persistent security challenges across different regions of the country.
The AANI president said food security should be treated as a national security priority.
He urged state governments to explore opportunities in the agricultural sector to ensure food security in the country.
He said professionalism and unity were critical in addressing contemporary security challenges.
He said the June 12, 1993, election remained Nigeria’s clearest proof that free, fair and transparent polls are possible when institutions respect the will of the people.
According to him, Nigeria’s vast land and maritime borders continue to pose significant security challenges, including arms trafficking.
“It has become increasingly evident that a highly centralised policing structure is overstretched in a nation of more than 220 million people,” he said.
Some political analysts have advocated reforms to the security architecture to address insecurity and fast-track the consolidation of Nigeria’s nascent democracy.
The stakeholders, who spoke in separate interviews, said democratic governance had created opportunities for reforms and private-sector engagement.
