The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, UNICAL, Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong, has said that drastic measures should be taken to address the heightened insecurity in Nigeria.
He described insecurity as a key national challenge that demands drastic and sustained measures if Nigeria is to achieve meaningful development.
Offiong spoke during the 2nd International Hybrid Conference 2026, organised by the Faculty of Social Sciences, with the theme: “Insecurity and National Development: Is the Nigerian State at a crossroad?”
He said issues of insecurity cannot be treated with kid gloves, stressing that government, institutions, and citizens must adopt bold strategies that address both the immediate threats and the root causes.
He was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Linkages and Collaborations, Prof. Anthony Eneji.
Offiong said national development cannot thrive where lives and property are not secure.
He said that the Department of Criminology and Security Studies can complement the state security role, disclosing that UNICAL has positioned itself as a hub for research, training, and policy advice on contemporary security issues.
According to him, the Department is producing graduates equipped with modern knowledge in crime prevention, intelligence analysis, and conflict management.
Prof. Offiong added that UNICAL is open to collaboration with security agencies at all levels to bridge the gap between academia and practice.
By working closely with the military, police, and other security institutions, he noted, UNICAL can help translate academic findings into practical tools for intelligence gathering, threat assessment, and community engagement, ensuring that solutions are
