CSO Urges Nigerian Youth to Safeguard Critical National Infrastructure for Economic Stability
ILDC President Chief Ugochukwu Nnam
The Initiative for Leadership Development and Change (ILDC), a prominent civil society organisation, has advised Nigerian youths to actively protect critical government infrastructure to ensure national security and sustainable economic development. In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, 23 January 2026, ILDC President Chief Ugochukwu Nnam emphasised that the preservation of public assets is a non-negotiable requirement for the success of ongoing national reforms.
Chief Nnam’s appeal comes amidst heightened government efforts to modernise and secure strategic transport and energy corridors across the federation. He described the protection of these assets as a patriotic duty that directly impacts public safety and the efficient allocation of state resources.
Economic Implications of Vandalism
The ILDC leadership condemned the persistent vandalism of rail lines, power installations, and telecommunications infrastructure, categorising these acts as economic sabotage. Chief Nnam noted that such activities, often driven by immediate selfish interests, result in "needless expenditure" of public funds on repairs rather than the expansion of essential services.
Industry data from previous regulatory reports indicate that infrastructure systems in Nigeria continue to face significant losses due to weak enforcement and a culture of poor maintenance. By curbing vandalism, the CSO argues that the Federal Government can redirect billions of naira toward developmental projects that offer long-term value to the citizenry.
Surveillance Upgrades on Strategic Corridors
The organisation lauded President Bola Tinubu’s administration for approving and implementing high tech security measures on major national landmarks. Specifically, Chief Nnam cited the installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras and solar powered lighting on both the Second Niger Bridge and the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
These upgrades serve several strategic functions:
Crime Deterrence: Real-time monitoring aims to reduce robbery and illegal activities on bridges.
Public Safety: Enhanced lighting and surveillance help curb suicide attempts and improve emergency response times.
Asset Longevity: Improved surveillance discourages the theft of bridge components and electrical fittings.
Alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda
Chief Nnam expressed confidence in the Renewed Hope Agenda’s infrastructure focus, noting that the current reforms are designed to restore public trust and institutional efficiency. He urged youth groups and community leaders to partner with security agencies, asserting that the protection of hosting communities’ assets should be led by the residents themselves.
The call by the ILDC highlights the critical intersection between civic responsibility and national development. For investors and policymakers, the focus on "system hardening" through technology-driven surveillance and community engagement is a positive signal for the stability of Nigeria’s infrastructure climate. Ensuring the integrity of these assets remains essential for maintaining economic connectivity and lowering the overall cost of governance
