Stakeholders push strategic leadership to tackle security threats

Security stakeholders, including intelligence professionals, risk managers and business leaders, have identified strategic leadership as a critical requirement for addressing emerging security threats across Africa.

The stakeholders made the submission during the 2026 retreat of ASIS International Chapter 206 held in Ibadan, Oyo State, with discussions focusing on evolving security risks and the leadership capabilities needed to navigate a complex environment.

According to a statement made available to The PUNCH on Thursday, participants at the retreat examined challenges ranging from terrorism and organised crime to cyber threats, climate-related pressures and geopolitical uncertainties affecting institutions across the continent.

Delivering the keynote address titled “Achieving High-Performance Security Leadership for the New Era in Africa,” a retired Major General, Charles Ofoché, said organisations must move beyond measuring success by their response to crises alone.

He argued that the ability to anticipate risks, adapt to change and build resilience had become a necessary feature of effective security leadership, adding that many contemporary threats are interconnected and require a departure from traditional approaches.

“From violent extremism and organised crime to cyber insecurity, demographic pressures and climate-related conflicts, the risks confronting institutions are increasingly interconnected,” he said.

He stressed that addressing such challenges requires strategic foresight, innovation and intelligence-led decision-making.

Speaking at the retreat, the Chairman of ASIS International Chapter 206, Olufemi Kayode, described the gathering as a response to Nigeria’s changing security realities.

Kayode noted that kidnapping, organised criminality, cybercrime and maritime insecurity continued to exert pressure on organisations and communities, making continuous learning and professional development indispensable.

“In my view, the changing threat landscape has made continuous learning, strategic thinking and professional development more important than ever,” he said.

He added that the chapter had continued to strengthen industry capacity through certification programmes, strategic partnerships and targeted development initiatives.

The ASIS chairman also highlighted recent engagements, including the Women in Security Conference and professional webinars, while outlining plans for university roadshows aimed at attracting and mentoring future security practitioners.

Chairman of the Retreat Planning Committee, Hector Ikemefuna, said the event was designed to prepare participants for the realities of a rapidly changing world.

According to him, the programme combined strategic leadership discussions with practical learning opportunities on emerging technologies, crisis management and collaborative problem-solving.

Also speaking during a webinar organised as part of the retreat, Crisis Response Director at Convex, Adam Samuels, emphasised the need for organisations to prepare adequately for kidnap incidents.

“Successful kidnap management is built on preparedness rather than reaction,” Samuels said.

He urged organisations to develop clear response strategies, establish crisis management teams and prioritise stakeholder coordination before crises occur.

A faculty member at Lagos Business School, Dr Isaac Orolugbabe, challenged participants to view security leadership as a strategic business function that should play a role in executive decision-making.

Similarly, Omamofe Ugboma of Stanbic IBTC Asset Management spoke on financial resilience and long-term wealth creation, stressing the importance of personal and organisational preparedness.

The statement concluded that delegates left the retreat with “renewed insights, stronger professional networks and a shared conviction that effective leadership would remain central to achieving security, stability and sustainable development in Africa.”