AANI lecture urges security for Nigeria's Orange Economy

At the 5th Distinguished AANI Alumni Lecture held at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, Plateau State, the President of the Institute for Science and International Security (AANI), Ambassador Emmanuel Obioson, called for a secure and enabling environment to unlock Nigeria's Orange Economy. He emphasized that security is fundamental to entrepreneurship, innovation, investment, and sustainable development. The lecture, themed 'The Orange Economy and Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Security as a Primary Enabler,' brought together policymakers, academics, security experts, and development practitioners. Keynote speaker Rear Admiral Emmanuel Macron (retd.) described the Orange Economy as a promising pathway to inclusive development, while identifying insecurity, inadequate infrastructure, limited finance, weak intellectual property protection, skills deficits, and policy fragmentation as major constraints. NIPSS Director-General Ayo Omotayo described security as 'the invisible infrastructure upon which economic transformation depends.' Issa Aremu, Director-General of the Nigeria — Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (Nigeria) (MINILS), advocated formalizing the informal sector and strengthening collaboration with the Nigeria — Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy. Professor John Wade called for an integrated approach to developing the creative economy. The event reaffirmed the commitment of AANI and NIPSS to evidence-based policy dialogue and practical recommendations for harnessing Nigeria's creative potential.