Government intervention remains first line of defense against insecurity

FOLLOWING the latest security alert issued by the UK government in Abuja, addressing the impact of insecurity on sales and distribution of goods and services in Nigeria, and providing advisory on sustaining profit amid these concerns have become most imperative.

The impact these security concerns pose a lot of challenges BUSISUDDENLY, nesses in Nigeria, as the volatile nature of running a business in the Nigerian clime has become, not only risky but also expensive. Speaking on the many woes business owners and organisations have to endure, “Running a business in Nigeria is a daunting endeavour that requires a level of adroitness and business acumen to make a success of it. Although most businesses have their peculiar challenges, an unfavourable business environment characterised by bureaucratic processes, the poor state of infrastructure, and an ever-increasing rate of insecurity will stifle businesses of any scale,” according to an expert.

The state of insecurity in Nigeria, the sixth most terrorised country in the world, and these security alerts by foreign governments negatively impact and threaten foreign/international trade. In 2020, the Beekeeping Extension Society relocated its honey production from Kaduna to Kano and Guinness Nigeria’s sales fell from N142.97 billion in 2018 to N131.49 billion in 2019. Babatunde Savage, who was then the managing director of Guinness Nigeria, attributed the high cost of doing business in Nigeria and the difficulty in accessing raw materials to a number of factors, including insecurity, a lack of infrastructure, and a poor road and transport network. Where there is insecurity, stock availability is impacted. This can in turn lower the sales and reputation of the company and drive customers to the competition. When physical items cannot be moved from one place to another, the supply chain is disrupted and the distribution of raw materials becomes difficult. We must begin to actively seek out ways to cut down on the long-term effects of insecurity on our businesses and in the long run, our economy.

Emphasis on small firms that are most hit the hardest because of limited access to funds as banks is needed, as they are either shut or only operating during limited hours and because less than 1 percent of Nigerian MSMES are insured. With the devastating effect of insecurity on businesses, government intervention remains the first line of defense against insecurity but organisations must actively seek out ways to mitigate its effects. Organisations must prioritise hiring locals as staff, locals are usually familiar with the area and the nuances and are often brokers of peace in times of insecurity.

In October, the UK, US, and other foreign governments issued travel advisories warning their citizens about travels to avoid travelling to Nigeria, particularly Abuja, because of a potential terror attack in the statecity. Not long after, the UK government again updated its travel advisory, advising its citizens against travelling to 22 states in Nigeria. In a statement contained in a press release by the British High Commission, Abuja, on Monday, November 8, titled, “Updated Foreign Commonwealth Development Office Travel Advice to British Nationals Travelling to the FCT,” the high commission listed 22 states to be avoided and maintained that “only essential travel be made to Abuja as risks remain.”