Obasanjo Hosts Institute of Security Nigeria Ahead of 19th International Security Conference

Institute of Security Nigeria Visits Obasanjo, Seeks Statesman’s Leadership for 19th Annual Security Conference



A high-level delegation of the Institute of Security Nigeria on Friday paid a courtesy and felicitation visit to former President and Head of State, Chief Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo, GCFR, at his Hilltop Residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State. 


The meeting, which held at 4:00pm, was convened to pay homage to the elder statesman, acknowledge his contributions to Nigeria’s security architecture and democratic journey, and to formally invite him to chair the opening ceremony of the Institute’s 19th Annual International Security Conference slated for December 2026 in Lagos.


Leading the delegation, Barrister Adebayo Akinade, DFISN, Deputy President and Chief Executive of the Institute of Security Nigeria, addressed Chief Obasanjo with what he described as “profound humility and gratitude” on behalf of the Governing Council, Patrons, Faculty, and the entire membership of the Institute.


Barrister Akinade introduced members of the delegation to the former President. They included:  Barrister Adebayo Akinade, DFISN – Deputy President and Chief Executive, Institute of Security Nigeria, Dr. Ade Abolurin, OFR, DFISN – First Vice President, Institute of Security Nigeria and former Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Professor Abraham Adewale Osinubi, DFISN – Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, University of Lagos, and Distinguished Fellow of the Institute, Dr. Folasayo Amos Orukotan, FISN – Leading Member of Faculty, Institute of Security Nigeria, AC Sunday Kayode Jesutofunmi, FISN – Fellow, Institute of Security Nigeria 


The delegation also conveyed warm felicitations from the Institute’s Patrons: General Olu Bajowa, CFR, OFR, DFISN, First and Foundation Patron of the Institute, and General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, CFR, DFISN, former Chief of Army Staff and Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Republic of Benin. 


Barrister Akinade further conveyed the regards of the Institute’s President, *Emeritus Professor Dele Oloeokudejo, DFISN*, who expressed deep regret at his inability to attend in person but affirmed his solidarity with the delegation in honouring Chief Obasanjo.


In his remarks, Barrister Akinade said the Institute came for “three noble purposes.”


The first, he stated, was to pay homage to Chief Obasanjo for his “distinguished, courageous and transformational service to our dear nation Nigeria.” 


“From the battlefields to the corridors of power, from national reconciliation to global diplomacy, your life has been defined by sacrifice for Nigeria’s unity, stability and progress,” Akinade said. “The security architecture and democratic institutions we enjoy today bear the imprint of your leadership.”


He noted that Chief Obasanjo’s career — spanning gallant military service, two historic periods of national leadership, and decades of international peace advocacy — has provided a template for leadership, nation-building and crisis management. The Institute, he added, recognizes the former President as a living institution whose wealth of experience remains invaluable to Nigeria’s security discourse and to the training of the next generation of security professionals.


The second purpose of the visit was to express profound appreciation for Chief Obasanjo’s fatherly role and for honouring the Institute as the Distinguished Guest of Honour at its 10th Annual International Security Conference in 2017. 


“That epochal event remains a reference point in our history,” Barrister Akinade recalled. “Your keynote charge on _‘Security and National Development’_ gave the Institute national relevance and set a standard for thought leadership in the security sector. Up till today, participants and stakeholders still reference the insights and direction provided by Your Excellency at that conference.”


He said the 2017 engagement positioned the Institute as a credible platform for policy dialogue, professional development, and multi-stakeholder engagement in Nigeria’s security space. Since then, he noted, the Institute has leveraged that momentum to deepen collaborations with government agencies, the private sector, academia, and international partners.

 
The third and central purpose of the visit, Barrister Akinade said, was a special invitation. 


“The Institute of Security Nigeria will be hosting the 19th Annual International Security Conference on Saturday, 19th December 2026 at the Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos State,” he announced.


The theme of the 2026 conference is: “Transformative Security In a Resilient Nation: Combating Symmetric, Asymmetric and Hybrid Threats in Nigeria.”


According to the Institute, the theme was deliberately chosen to interrogate the evolving and complex security challenges confronting the country. These include terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cyber threats, economic sabotage, maritime insecurity, and transnational organized crime. 


“The conference seeks to proffer home-grown, technology-driven and intelligence-led solutions for a resilient Nigeria,” Akinade explained. “It will bring together policymakers, security chiefs, academics, private sector players, civil society, and international partners to build consensus on strategies for a safer nation.”


In recognition of Chief Obasanjo’s unmatched statesmanship and in line with the Institute’s tradition of inviting Nigeria’s foremost leaders, the delegation made a formal request. 


“We most respectfully request Your Excellency to serve as Chairman of the Opening Ceremony of this conference,” Barrister Akinade said.


He disclosed that the Keynote Speaker for the occasion will be General Christopher B. Musa, CFR, former Chief of Defence Staff and Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 


“The presence of Your Excellency as Chairman will not only lend weight and dignity to the event, but will also inspire policymakers, security chiefs, academics, and practitioners gathered from across the country and beyond,” he added. “Your voice will set the tone for deliberations and reinforce the national importance of the conversations we intend to have. We believe your guidance will help shape outcomes that are practical, implementable, and in the best interest of Nigeria.”


Giving a brief on the Institute, Barrister Akinade said the Institute of Security Nigeria, headquartered at the Unilagconsult Building, University of Lagos, is committed to professional excellence, capacity building, and policy advisory in security, intelligence, loss prevention, and risk management.


The Institute is a non-political, non-profit professional body charged with setting standards, certifying practitioners, conducting research, and advising government and the private sector on security and safety strategy for people, property, and national assets. 


“Through our annual conferences, training programmes, certification courses, and publications, we promote professionalism, ethics, and intelligence-led approaches to security in Nigeria,” he said. “We see you, Your Excellency, as our moral compass and institutional guide. Your commitment to peace, democracy, and good governance continues to inspire our work.”


He noted that the Institute’s conferences over the years have served as a bridge between academia, practice, and policy, producing communiques and recommendations that have influenced security strategy at federal and state levels. He added that the Institute remains focused on bridging the gap between theory and practice, while raising a new crop of security professionals grounded in ethics and modern practice.


In his closing remarks, Barrister Akinade thanked Chief Obasanjo most sincerely for the audience granted the delegation. He prayed that “the Almighty God will continue to strengthen you, grant you good health, and preserve you for many more years of service to Nigeria and humanity.”


He said the Institute remains committed to supporting national efforts aimed at building a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria, and that the wisdom of leaders like Chief Obasanjo is critical to that mission.



Organizers say the 19th Annual International Security Conference is expected to attract over 500 participants, including serving and retired security chiefs, governors, diplomats, scholars, captains of industry, and representatives of international organizations.


According to the Institute, the event will feature plenary sessions, panel discussions, and exhibitions focused on technology, intelligence, and community-based approaches to security. A communique with actionable recommendations for government and stakeholders on strengthening Nigeria’s security resilience is expected at the end of the conference.


With the formal invitation now delivered, the Institute awaits Chief Obasanjo’s response as it continues preparations for what it describes as “one of the most critical security dialogues in the country’s recent history.”