Insecurity has emerged as one of the biggest threats to decent work and sustainable livelihoods in Nigeria, with Kogi State increasingly affected by the disruption of economic activities and workers’ safety.
The concern was raised in Kogi as stakeholders highlighted the growing impact of insecurity on employment, productivity and the ability of Nigerians to earn sustainable incomes.
The development has renewed attention on the relationship between security and economic development, as persistent attacks and criminal activities can force businesses to scale down operations, discourage investment and limit employment opportunities.
For workers, insecurity can also translate into unsafe working conditions, restricted movement and reduced access to places of employment, particularly in communities where residents depend heavily on agriculture, trading and other informal economic activities.
The situation is particularly significant in Kogi because of the state’s strategic position as a link between several regions of the country. Disruptions to movement and commercial activities in the state can therefore have implications beyond individual communities.
Stakeholders have increasingly argued that Nigeria’s efforts to create decent employment cannot be separated from the need to improve security.
The International Labour Organisation’s decent-work framework places emphasis on productive employment, workplace rights, social protection and social dialogue. Where workers and businesses operate under persistent security threats, achieving those objectives becomes considerably more difficult.
Insecurity can also deepen unemployment and poverty by discouraging entrepreneurs from expanding their businesses or establishing operations in affected communities.
Small businesses are particularly vulnerable because many lack the financial capacity to absorb losses caused by attacks, extortion, disruptions to supply chains or reduced customer movement.
Agriculture, one of the major sources of employment in many Nigerian communities, is equally vulnerable. Farmers who are unable to safely access their farms may reduce production or abandon their fields altogether, potentially affecting both household incomes and food supplies.
The Kogi concerns therefore point to a broader national challenge: security is not only a law-and-order issue but also an economic necessity.
Government at all levels faces pressure to strengthen security while simultaneously creating an environment where businesses can operate, workers can travel safely and young people can access meaningful employment.
Beyond deploying security personnel, stakeholders have also called for stronger investment in infrastructure, skills development, education and economic opportunities as part of efforts to address the underlying conditions that can make communities vulnerable to criminality.
For Kogi and other affected states, restoring confidence among workers, farmers, traders and investors will be crucial to achieving sustainable economic growth.
The message from the latest concerns is clear: without a secure environment, efforts to promote decent work, reduce unemployment and improve living standards will continue to face serious obstacles.
Nigeria’s employment challenge is therefore increasingly tied to its security challenge, making the protection of lives, businesses and livelihoods an essential part of any serious strategy for expanding decent work across the country.
