Pastor Ashimolowo Urges NYSC Training for Security Support, Rallies Nigerians Behind President Tinubu

Nigeria’s national conversation on insecurity took a new turn on Thursday after renowned clergyman and Lead Pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, called for a bold restructuring of the country’s security support system—starting with the training of NYSC members to assist in security operations.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Ashimolowo praised President Bola Tinubu’s efforts in confronting Nigeria’s worsening security challenges but stressed that the government cannot win the battle alone. According to him, the success of the administration’s security reforms depends heavily on the collective will, cooperation, and vigilance of citizens across all sectors.

Ashimolowo underscored that Nigeria is at a turning point, facing threats ranging from banditry and terrorism to kidnapping and violent criminal networks, and insisted that every citizen has a role to play. The clergyman, known for his outspoken national commentary, urged Nigerians to rally behind the president’s agenda.

“Every African country admires Nigeria. We are tough, strong, fearless, and bold. With leadership determined to make a difference, Nigerians should stand behind the president and support his efforts,” he said, emphasizing that optimism and unity remain critical national assets.

One of his most striking recommendations was the proposal that National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members undergo specialized training to support security operations. While he did not call for their deployment into combat roles, he argued that young Nigerians—millions of whom pass through the NYSC scheme annually—could be empowered with skills in intelligence gathering, emergency response, community surveillance, and crisis management.

Ashimolowo believes that integrating trained youth into the country’s security framework could enhance early-warning systems, improve grassroots support, and help security agencies become more responsive to local threats.

However, his remarks were not without caution. Addressing the ongoing debate around state police, the pastor warned of potential abuse, noting that while state-controlled security outfits could help curb local crime, they could also “become a personal army used to intimidate and terrorize others.”

The clergyman’s comments arrive amid a wave of national anxiety and reform calls as Nigeria continues to battle persistent insecurity, and as the Tinubu administration pushes to strengthen national defense, intelligence coordination, and community-based policing.

For many Nigerians, Ashimolowo’s message is both a challenge and a reflection of the country’s growing desperation for solutions: a call to patriotism, accountability, and shared responsibility at a time when the nation needs it most.