West Africa Must Deepen Regional Integration to Defeat Rising Insecurity, Don Urges

By Pan Afric Reporters, DUTSIN-MA, Katsina State

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Prof. M. K. Othman, has called for stronger regional integration, institutional reforms and multi-sector collaboration to tackle the growing wave of insecurity confronting West Africa, warning that the region’s vast economic potential can only be realised under conditions of peace, political stability and effective governance.

Othman made the call in his opening address at the maiden International Conference of the university’s Department of Political Science, themed “Regional Integration and Security Dynamics in West Africa: Prospects and Strategic Future,” held on July 29, 2026, at the institution in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State.

The Vice-Chancellor’s address was contained in a paper titled “Regional Integration and Security Dynamics in West Africa: Prospects and Strategic Future,” in which he stressed that universities must play a more active role in shaping public policy and providing evidence-based solutions to the region’s governance and security challenges.

According to him, West Africa is currently grappling with multiple threats, including terrorism, violent extremism, insurgency, transnational organised crime, piracy, cybercrime, arms trafficking, climate-induced conflicts, electoral violence, unconstitutional changes of government and worsening humanitarian crises.

“These challenges have not only threatened national stability but have also tested the resilience of regional institutions established to promote peace, security, democratic governance and sustainable development,” Othman said.

Despite these challenges, the Vice-Chancellor noted that the region remains richly endowed with abundant natural resources, a youthful population, expanding markets and growing technological innovation capable of driving Africa’s economic transformation.

“West Africa offers enormous opportunities. However, this potential can only be realised in an environment of peace, political stability, effective governance, economic cooperation and collective security,” he stated.

He argued that regional integration had evolved beyond an economic aspiration to become a strategic imperative for ensuring sustainable peace and development across the sub-region.

While acknowledging the contributions of the Economic Community of West African States in promoting democracy, peacekeeping, regional diplomacy and economic cooperation, Othman said emerging geopolitical and security realities demand stronger institutions, innovative policy responses and deeper collaboration among governments, academia, civil society organisations and development partners.

“Regional integration has therefore become more than an economic aspiration; it is now a strategic necessity,” he emphasised.

The Vice-Chancellor described the conference as a timely platform for scholars, policymakers, security practitioners, diplomats and development experts to critically examine the future of regional integration amid evolving political, technological and environmental realities.

He urged participants to move beyond identifying problems and instead develop practical policy recommendations capable of strengthening regional institutions, enhancing collective security, promoting democratic governance and deepening economic integration.

“Let us move beyond diagnosing problems to developing actionable policy recommendations that strengthen regional institutions, enhance collective security, promote democratic governance, deepen economic integration and improve the welfare of our people,” he said.

Othman also highlighted emerging issues requiring urgent policy attention, including artificial intelligence and security, cybersecurity, digital governance, climate security, migration, youth unemployment, gender inclusion in peacebuilding, border governance, food security and the implications of global power competition for West Africa.

He maintained that universities have a unique responsibility to serve as centres of innovation, research and policy development, capable of bridging the gap between academic scholarship and governance.

“Universities are not merely centres for teaching and research; they are incubators of ideas, laboratories for innovation and platforms for evidence-based policymaking,” he noted.

The Vice-Chancellor commended the Department of Political Science for organising the international conference, describing it as an important platform for intellectual exchange and policy dialogue capable of producing practical solutions to contemporary governance and security challenges.

The conference attracted leading academics, policymakers, diplomats, researchers, security experts, civil society organisations and students from Nigeria, across West Africa and beyond. Delivering the keynote address was Prof. Paul Izah of Ahmadu Bello University, who set the tone for extensive deliberations during technical sessions, panel discussions and paper presentations.

Participants concluded the conference with a commitment to produce policy recommendations aimed at strengthening regional cooperation, improving security governance and advancing sustainable development across West Africa.