Preparations have been completed for the maiden edition of the First Daily National Dialogue on Security, with an array of prominent political leaders, retired military officers, security experts and public affairs analysts confirming their participation in the event scheduled for Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.
The dialogue is aimed at providing a non-partisan platform for stakeholders to examine Nigeria’s security challenges and develop practical recommendations to strengthen the country’s security architecture, promote peace and support sustainable development.
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, will attend as the Special Guest of Honour and deliver a paper titled, “Governors as Chief Security Officers in Nigeria: The Bayelsa Example.”
The event will be co-chaired by former Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff, General Martin Luther Agwai (Rtd.), and Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Also expected at the dialogue is the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, while former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (Rtd.), will deliver the keynote address.
Other confirmed speakers include former Inspector-General of Police, Sir Mike Okiro; former Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Colonel Milland Dikio (Rtd.); Executive Director of Operations and Technical at Tantita Security Services, Captain Warredi Enisuoh; retired intelligence officer, Major Lancelot Anyanya; lawyer and forensic expert, Dr. Yemi Onifade; Professor Yahaya Ndu of Gregory University; risk management specialist Onyekachi Adekoya; legal practitioner Frank Tietie; and public affairs analyst Mojeed Dahiru.
Speaking ahead of the event, Publisher of First Daily, Dr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, described the dialogue as a timely intervention in Nigeria’s efforts to address worsening insecurity.
He noted that insecurity remains one of the country’s greatest threats to national unity, economic growth and democratic development, stressing the need for sincere, constructive and solution-driven engagement among stakeholders.
According to him, invitations have also been extended to the Minister of Defence, the Minister of Interior, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the Chief of Defence Staff, service chiefs and other heads of security agencies.
Leading political figures and presidential hopefuls, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, as well as major socio-cultural organisations such as Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere, the Arewa Consultative Forum, PANDEF and the Ijaw National Congress, have also been invited.
“The security of our nation cannot be left to government alone. It requires the collective wisdom, commitment and collaboration of political leaders, security institutions, traditional rulers, civil society, the private sector and citizens,” Iworiso-Markson said.
He added that the dialogue would bring together policymakers, diplomats, academics, youth representatives, traditional rulers, media practitioners and civil society organisations to examine the root causes of insecurity, identify gaps in existing security policies and propose practical reforms to enhance national peace and stability.
The publisher expressed appreciation to participants and partners for supporting the initiative, assuring that all logistical and security arrangements had been concluded for what is expected to be one of Nigeria’s most significant national conversations on security.
