ACCI warns insecurity could trigger capital flight

Emeka Obegolu, President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI)

…calls for urgent security reforms, ranching transition to improve business climate

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has warned that Nigeria risks capital flight and a decline in investor confidence if rising insecurity across the country is not urgently addressed.

Emeka Obegolu, President of ACCI, gave the warning on Monday in Abuja during the 2025 Media Parley on National Security, Ranching Reforms, and Satellite Monitoring for an Improved Business Environment.

According to Obegolu, persistent security challenges such as banditry, kidnapping, farmer–herder conflicts and illegal mining have continued to disrupt business operations, inflate logistics costs, displace farmers and endanger workers, thereby undermining national productivity.

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He noted that several businesses have either suspended expansion plans, halted ongoing projects or redirected investments to safer locations within and outside the country due to worsening insecurity.

He stressed that no country can achieve sustainable economic growth without prioritising security.

“Across the country, businesses are operating under increasingly fragile conditions. Incidents of banditry, kidnapping, farmer–herder conflicts, and illegal mining have disrupted transportation corridors, inflated logistics costs, displaced farmers, and endangered workers.

“If this trend persists, Nigeria faces the risk of capital flight, declining productivity, weakened investor confidence, and worsening socio-economic conditions,” the ACCI president said.

Obegolu called for bold, coordinated and innovative action by the Federal and State Governments, security agencies and other critical stakeholders to address the country’s security challenges, noting that a secure environment is essential for attracting and retaining investments.

He identified open grazing as one of the major drivers of rural insecurity, describing the practice as outdated and a key trigger of farmer–herder conflicts, communal clashes and farmland destruction. He therefore urged a national transition to modern ranching systems.

“One of the most persistent drivers of rural insecurity remains the farmer–herder conflict, largely fueled by open grazing. This outdated practice continues to trigger communal clashes, farmland destruction, and population displacement,” Obegolu said.

The ACCI president advocated the establishment of structured grazing reserves, ranching estates, feedlots, livestock development centres and veterinary facilities, noting that modern livestock management would boost meat and dairy productivity, create jobs, reduce pressure on farmlands and eliminate a major source of rural conflict.

Obegolu also raised concerns over the impact of illegal mining on security, environmental sustainability and government revenue, calling for the deployment of satellite and space-based monitoring systems to detect illegal mining activities in real time, track land-use changes and strengthen regulatory oversight.

“Illegal mining remains a major contributor to insecurity, environmental degradation, and revenue loss. To address this, the ACCI advocates the deployment of enhanced satellite and space-based monitoring systems to:

“Detect illegal mining activities in real time Track land-use changes, Strengthen regulatory oversight, Support rapid enforcement responses With modern geospatial intelligence, Nigeria can curb illegal mining, protect vulnerable communities, and restore investor confidence in the solid minerals sector,” he added.

Looking ahead to 2026, Obegolu disclosed that ACCI has lined up several programmes aimed at strengthening the business ecosystem and promoting sustainable economic growth, including the ACCI–NACCIMA Livestock Summit, renewable energy and circular economy conferences, trade fairs, and capacity-building initiatives for entrepreneurs.

He reaffirmed ACCI’s commitment to partnering with government and other stakeholders to restore security, safeguard investments and drive economic growth, while also urging the media to continue playing its role in national advocacy through balanced and responsible reporting.

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