By Dayo Johnson Akure

A Professor of Comparative Politics, Strategic Studies, and Conflict Resolution at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, Nnaoma Iwu, has called for the adoption of advanced technology and a merit-based “football theory” to address Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Iwu made the call while delivering AAUA’s 61st inaugural lecture, titled _“Killing the ‘gods’ of Ethnicity Inhibiting Nigeria’s Journey towards Technological Innovation: Football Theory of Scientific Development to the Rescue.”

He argued that modern insecurity is increasingly technology-driven, and Nigeria must respond with more sophisticated systems to counter it.

According to him “Technology is indispensable in tackling insecurity because insecurity itself uses technology to attack man.

” As a counter, we need more advanced technology, intelligence-gathering systems, long-range precision capabilities, and tools that can profile and identify threats.

Without cutting-edge innovation, he warned, efforts to curb insecurity will remain ineffective and outdated.

Iwu also said ethnic considerations often slow Nigeria’s progress in security and development, and should not override competence, especially in science and technology.

He explained his “football theory” as a model where skill and performance, not ethnicity, race, religion, or background, determine selection and deployment.

“In football, only talent matters. That is the principle Nigeria must apply. We must scout for competence wherever it exists, across all ethnic nationalities,” he stated, adding that prioritizing merit would strengthen both the country’s technological base and security architecture.

On policy, the professor urged a shift away from ethnic balancing toward competence-driven systems.

“When you appoint someone without competence just to represent an ethnic group, what benefit is that to national development? We should be thinking of Nigeria in the context of global technological competition,” he said.

He also tasked universities with leading talent discovery and innovation.

“Universities must become centers for scouting and grooming individuals with exceptional skills, whether within or outside the system, and prepare them for global competitiveness,” he added.

AAUA Vice Chancellor, Professor Olugbenga Ige, represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Adebisi Adaramola, praised the lecture as “insightful and solution-driven.”

“He has demonstrated mastery in his delivery,” Ige said, describing Iwu as a political scientist consistently focused on using technology to solve societal problems.

The lecture adds to growing calls for Nigeria to embrace technology-driven solutions to its security challenges while promoting merit over ethnic considerations in national development.