Speaking at the public presentation of the book SCARS: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum by former CDS General Lucky Irabor, Musa emphasized that resolving the conflict demands a “whole-of-society approach,” estimating that military solutions contribute only 25 to 30 percent to the overall effort. 

“For us as a nation to move forward, we must look at this faithfully, truthfully and clearly in order to find solutions. It is not only a military solution,” he stated, underscoring the need for Nigerians to embrace peace and nationhood.

The insurgency, which began in 2009 as an ideological revolt against Western education and has since evolved into a complex asymmetric war, involves not just armed combatants but also internal sympathizers and external actors exploiting Nigeria’s vulnerabilities. 

“As long as we don’t love ourselves as Nigerians, and we don’t look at ourselves as our brother’s keepers, this will continue,” Musa warned. 

“If we want this to end, we must learn to live together as brothers and sisters. It is not magic; it must be deliberate.”

Musa lamented that the threat “should have been nipped in the bud” earlier, pointing to ideological roots that make the enemy “within us” potentially even family members harder to identify and combat. 

He also highlighted foreign influences intent on perpetuating instability, urging Africans to take ownership of their security. 

“There are also people from outside who are ready to ensure they continue to succeed and the country continues to fail. We must not allow them to succeed,” he said. 

“I am sure, working together, we will continue to win. We as Africans need to face these challenges ourselves without waiting and relying on others to do it for us.”

Drawing inspiration from Singapore’s transformation from a resource-scarce nation to a global powerhouse, Musa called for deliberate resolve. 

“Countries have evolved over time because they looked at their challenges and resolved to overcome them. Singapore, with all the challenges it had, stood and said: ‘It’s either we stand and die, or we work and develop.’

“They have worked, and they have developed. If we want to move forward, we must deliberately and consciously make Nigeria great. No one else will do it.”

The event also served as a tribute to Irabor’s legacy, with Musa commending his predecessor’s discipline and pivotal role in counter-insurgency operations. 

Despite recent gains, such as a military operation in Zamfara State where troops neutralized a bandit kingpin, the broader security landscape remains precarious, with Boko Haram factions and allied groups like ISWAP continuing to launch attacks amid economic hardships and communal tensions.