As kidnapping and violent crimes continue to cast a dark shadow over communities across Nigeria, the forthcoming 44th edition of Boiling Point Arena will interrogate one of the most disturbing questions confronting the nation today: Why do Nigerians still feel unsafe despite massive government spending on security?
The highly anticipated discourse, scheduled for Sunday, June 14, 2026, at 8pm, will bring together three distinguished voices in security, governance and public accountability to examine the theme: “Kidnapping Economy and National Insecurity: Are Nigeria’s Security Votes Working? What Must Change to Make Nigerians Safe Again?”
The session will feature renowned security strategist and retired military officer, General Ishola Williams(Rtd); respected security expert and retired military intelligence officer, Col. Yomi Dare (Rtd); and civic technology advocate, public finance transparency campaigner and Co-founder of BudgIT, Mr Seun Onigbinde.
Boiling Point Arena, hosted by a media professional and public relations strategist, Ayo Arowojolu, holds via Zoom and is to be broadcast live on multiple radio stations across Lagos, Ogun and Delta States as well as a cable television, NSTV on Gotv channel.
A frontline traditional ruler, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Saka Matemilola, is expected to bring an intellectual gravitas to herald the discourse in his capacity as Chairman and Keynote Speaker during the session.
Over the years, Nigeria has committed trillions of naira to defence and security operations.
Yet, from highways to farmlands, schools to residential communities, incidents of kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes continue to generate fear among citizens and raise concerns over the effectiveness of security interventions.
The programme will critically examine whether kidnapping has evolved into a thriving criminal enterprise sustained by weak institutions, inadequate intelligence gathering, poor accountability and socio-economic vulnerabilities. It will also explore whether the nation’s security votes and budgetary allocations are delivering measurable outcomes in protecting lives and property.
Participants are expected to interrogate the nexus between governance, public finance management and national security, while offering practical recommendations on intelligence-led policing, community participation, technology deployment, institutional reforms and accountability mechanisms necessary to reverse the tide of insecurity.
According to the organisers, the discussion is aimed at moving beyond routine lamentations to identifying actionable pathways that can restore public confidence and make Nigeria safer for citizens and investors alike.
With the calibre of guest speakers assembled for the conversation, the 44th edition of Boiling Point Arena promises to be a robust and thought-provoking engagement that will shed light on the economics of kidnapping, the effectiveness of security spending and the urgent reforms required to reclaim Nigeria from the grip of criminality.
Members of the public, policymakers, security practitioners, civil society actors, media professionals and concerned citizens are expected to join the conversation as the nation searches for answers to one of its most pressing challenges.
The programme which holds on a month-by-month basis every second Sunday of any month targeted at proffering solutions to the myriads of Nigeria’s problems, debuted since November 2022 and is now in its 44th edition.
The discourse will be accessible globally through Zoom, while millions of radio listeners are expected to tune in to the following radio stations; WASH 94.9FM, Sweet 107.1FM, Roots 97.1FM, Erimbe 94.7FM, Women Radio 91.7FM, Opera Tune 106.3FM and Kruzz 92.9FM, alongside a cable television station, NSTV, on GOtv Channel.
Over the years, Boiling Point Arena has hosted an impressive roll call of eminent Nigerians including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Pat Utomi, Presidential Adviser, Daniel Bwala, Prof. Toyin Falola, Prof. Wande Abimbola, Bishop Matthew Kukah, Pastor Femi Emmanuel, Akogun Tola Adeniyi, Mrs Funke Egbemode, Apostle Lawrence Achudume and Prof. Farooq Kperogi among others.
