Literature, National Security and the Place of Nigeria in the World
By Bukar Usman, OON
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This is an address being delivered as Chairman of the 45th International Convention of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), held at the Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village, Mpape, Abuja on October 27, 2026
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Introduction
It is an honour and pleasure for me to preside over this great occasion of distinguished authors, academics and scholars.
Taking the two key components of the convention theme, I could say right away that in terms of ‘literature’, the place of Nigeria in the world is quite mixed. It has its highs and lows when literature is viewed from the perspective of Western education.
On the high side, Nigeria has been in the vanguard in the formation of Pan-continental literary bodies in Africa. Worthy of mention are Heinemann African Writers Series of the 1960s; The Union of Writers of the African People (UWAP) founded in Senegal in 1975 followed by the Ghana-based Pan-African Writers Association (PAWA) founded in 1989. A distinguished Nigerian author Dr. Wale Okediran is the current Secretary-General of PAWA. There are also notable individuals who have made names in Western literary accomplishments.
On the low side, is the general low level of Western education in the country. Ranking Nigeria with others in the world in terms of out-of-school children leaves much to be desired.
As regards Oriental education, quite a sizable portion of this country had early education in Arabic that precedes education in Roman character. Notable individuals distinguished themselves in that field and could fair well with others in other parts of the world.
One form of literature is orality that is the foundation of education in traditional African societies. It is indispensable hence the coinage of the study ‘Orature’ in modern times.
Of course, Nigeria, the largest black nation in the world and a country of great diversity, is rich in tradition and culture some of which were exported in the days of slavery. Much have also been captured in literature and are worthy of preservation and promotion with great pride. What is required is to apply digital and current technical means of doing so, much more effectively.
The perceived main issues of the convention’s theme are discussed below, one-by-one:
Literature
As a student, I offered literature as one of the subjects of my studies. The curriculum includes reading books of famous writers mostly from Britain in form of grammar, poetry, history, philosophy, travelogue and drama. That was during the colonial and immediate post-colonial period. The books were authored by William Shakespeare, Jane Austin, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Geoffrey Chaucer and Charles Dickens, among others. Drama was staged to illustrate some of the themes and drive home the messages.
Invariably, post-independence nationalism and interest in literature awakened consciousness of Nigerians and other Africans to write in earnest from their perspectives and include them on curricula. Hence students of 1970s upward, were opportune to read books by Nigerian and other African writers. Notably, from primary to university education (1951-1969), I was not privileged to read any book by Nigerian or African authors except those written in Hausa by Abubakar Imam.
Then came lately the other dimension of literature that is oral. It is adjudged to have preceded the written ones I read. There arise the coinage of the expression “orature” in literary studies of folklore and folktales traditionally told by mouth from generation to generation more particularly in Africa. Before Western education, oral traditions were the ways of passing down wisdom in the informal setting by our ancestors. It was a means of moulding the character of a child during his or her early education in learning societal values to take to adulthood.
Taking account of all these, my simple understanding of literature embraces the record of human endeavours down memory lane, written or oral, though the former prevails over the latter today.
National Security
The issue of security is dear to my heart as it had been my preoccupation during my long years in the public service of this country. One aspect of security is protection of life and property of the inhabitants of a state from internal and external threats. It also includes the provision of welfare. Another is the protection of the government in place from acts of subversion as well as the state itself against external threats to its territorial integrity. National security as an umbrella extends to the protection and safeguarding of national interests that comprise the goals and values of the society. That also implies the safety of a country, its people, its infrastructure and institutions on a sustainable basis. Essentially, an effective national security is the bedrock of national development.
Current internal security challenges of Nigeria largely revolve around communal conflicts, armed robbery, banditry, kidnapping, herders-farmers conflicts, electoral violence/conflicts, labour union strikes, students’ demonstrations and border disputes. Thus, like many other nation states, developing and developed, Nigeria is undoubtedly currently facing multidimensional security challenges.
Some commentators blamed faulty security architecture for the apparent inability of the security agencies to effectively check these challenges and called for overhaul while others point to inadequate training of personnel and coordination. Yet many others blame it on lack of adequate and modern equipment. Admittedly, all the identified areas can and do have negative impact on effectiveness and efficiency in performance. They therefore need to be addressed including manpower level in view of the phenomenal growth in population and complexity of the society. The current move at decentralisation of policing is most welcome though in my view it should extend to the local level and not the state level that would still be top heavy in administration.
Nigeria’s Place in the World
Some studies, mostly foreign, have ranked countries in the world in terms of prevailing violence, poverty, development index, maternal mortality and out-of-school children.
Notwithstanding the inherent abuse of statistics and inaccuracies, Nigeria’s place in the rankings is not all that edifying. It leaves much to be desired, though the issues did not arise overnight. However, there is urgency in addressing those areas in the nation’s development endeavours and that should engage those involved in literary activities in bringing them to the attention of the authorities.
Having said all these, I consider it inappropriate to rank countries security-wise as their complexities are different and so are the challenges.
Nigerian Literature and the Nigerian Predicament
Six broad areas of Nigeria’s socio-political and economic experience have attracted the artistic and critical attention of Nigerian writers since our independence in 1960, and even some few years before then. These issues of concern notable literary works have explored include:
• Conflict of colonial and indigenous cultures
• Corruption
• Military dictatorship
• Civil war
• Ethno-religious violence
,• Human rights and gender issues.
Protecting the Image of Nigeria
A dispassionate survey of the literature in Nigeria over the years will clearly indicate that Nigerian writers have done themselves and the country proud. Nigeria is facing a great deal of challenges right now such that some of the challenges may lead one to have negative feelings about the country as to write bitterly about it. As writers, we can help the country to solve some of these challenges by highlighting them constructively.
Literature will continue to be a means of expressing, recording and preserving past and current experiences to enrich and guide us in our private and public lives, in governance and in the maintenance of peace and national security.
We solemnly recite at gatherings or hear on the air our National Anthem hailing and extolling Nigeria our ‘Motherland’ and pledging to defend her unity. As such, while one may have some cause for reservations and disappointments about some happenings at certain times and at some level, it is abominable to castigate or disown one’s parent. However bitter one might feel, it must be expressed in a restrained and constructive manner, the way a child would address a parent or an elder.
Furthermore, writing about one’s country in general must be in a manner that does not breach the laws in place – laws against treason and subversion. And if it is about individuals one should guard against libel; to be sure that one is on the right side of the law, one needs to be certain of the facts. The freedom of expression guaranteed under the Constitution is not absolute
There is a lesson in our living memory of a notable foreign citizen who misapplied his literary endowments to dismember his country. It should also be borne in mind that current mode of warfare may not necessarily require sophisticated tanks and artillery as propaganda and disinformation through literature could be devastating enough to do the job. We should be aware of this and be properly guided.
Conclusion
It is notable that Nigeria has since independence maintained its territorial integrity in spite of the challenges. Though it is still facing some of the challenges, patriots should consider it to be a passing phase in quest for peace and stability of the country.
Thus, in terms of the place of Nigeria vis-a-vis literature in the world, the latter should be applied with a view to construct and not destroy thereby doing everything possible to promote peace, stability and national security as well as nation-building.
Successive executives of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) should be commended for their commitment and foresight in establishing this edifice and creating regular opportunities for discussion and exchange of ideas on literature, and harnessing the outcome for the advancement of Nigeria and humanity. This environment is a showpiece and a pride of Nigeria in the literary world. They have succeeded in laying a solid foundation for future generations to build on. We pray to Almighty God to grace and continue to empower them to sustain the worthy cause.
I thank you.
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Dr. Bukar Usman, OON, former Permanent Secretary in the Presidency and President of the Nigerian Folklore Society (2014-2026).
