The House of Representatives has called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria's defence architecture, warning that existing security strategies have failed to adequately address the country's evolving threats. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas made the call on Monday at a public hearing on defence-related bills organized by the House Committee on Defence at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
Bills Under Consideration
The bills before the House aim at broad reform of Nigeria's military architecture, spanning operational efficiency, welfare, inclusiveness, and institutional restructuring. Central among them is a proposal for the Armed Forces Farms and Ranches Scheme, designed to integrate food production into military operations and strengthen national food security, particularly in conflict-prone agricultural zones. Also under consideration is a bill on Gender Representation in the Armed Forces, which seeks to expand opportunities for women within military structures.
Another key proposal is the repeal and replacement of the Armed Forces Act with the Nigerian Military Force Bill, representing a comprehensive overhaul of the legal framework governing the military. Lawmakers are also considering a Veterans' Federation of Nigeria Bill, focusing on improving welfare systems for retired military personnel.
Speaker's Remarks
Abbas said the 10th House is committed to strengthening legal and institutional frameworks guiding the Armed Forces, noting that Nigeria's current security realities require urgent reforms and fresh thinking in defence management. "The old ways have not fully worked," the Speaker said. He stressed that the country continues to grapple with insurgency in the North-East, banditry and kidnapping in the North-West, communal conflicts in the North-Central, separatist agitations in the South-East, and emerging threats such as cybercrime and maritime piracy.
He explained that the bills under consideration, including reforms of the Armed Forces Act, veterans' welfare legislation, gender inclusion in the military, and other institutional support frameworks, are aimed at modernizing the defence sector. Abbas urged stakeholders participating in the public hearing to make meaningful contributions, assuring that all memoranda and presentations would be duly considered. "This is not a rubber stamp exercise. Every submission will be read and duly considered," he added.
Committee Chairman's Statement
Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, said the public hearing represents a critical democratic step in reshaping Nigeria's security architecture, stressing that defence laws must evolve in line with emerging realities. Benson noted that the hearing is not a mere legislative formality but a platform for robust stakeholder engagement that will shape the final form of the proposed laws. "For us as legislators, stakeholder engagement strengthens transparency, accountability and public confidence in the legislative process," he said. He urged participants to make constructive contributions, assuring that every submission would be carefully considered by the committee in the national interest.
