Reps move to strengthen Nigeria’s defence architecture through new legislative reforms

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has said the National Assembly is committed to strengthening Nigeria’s defence architecture through comprehensive legislative reforms aimed at addressing the country’s evolving security challenges.

Speaking on Monday while declaring open a two-day public hearing on defence-related bills organised by the House Committee on Defence at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, Abbas described the proposed legislation as a strategic response to the nation’s worsening security situation.

According to the Speaker, the bills form a key part of the 10th House of Representatives’ legislative agenda and are intended to build a more resilient, inclusive and effective military institution capable of responding to both conventional and emerging threats.

“It is my distinct honour to welcome you all to this important public hearing convened by the House Committee on Defence. The bills listed for consideration over the next two days are not mere legislative exercises. They are a direct response to the evolving security threats facing our beloved nation and the imperative to build a more resilient, inclusive and effective military institution,” Abbas said.

He noted that Nigeria continues to face multiple security crises across various regions, placing enormous pressure on the armed forces.

“We cannot pretend that our nation is at ease. From the relentless insurgency in the North-East to the scourge of banditry and kidnapping in the North-West, the farmer-herder crises in the North-Central, and the separatist agitations in the South-East, our armed forces are stretched, yet they remain our first and last line of defence,” he stated.

“In addition, we face emerging threats: maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, cyber warfare and the nexus between organised crime and terrorism. It is against this backdrop that the 10th House of Representatives has resolved to strengthen the legal and institutional frameworks that govern our military,” he said.

Abbas emphasised that the public hearing was designed to encourage broad stakeholder participation and informed contributions to the legislative process.

“This public hearing is not a rubber stamp. It is a platform for robust, evidence-based engagement,” he added.

The hearing is expected to examine several defence-related bills aimed at enhancing the operational effectiveness, accountability and capacity of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in confronting the country’s increasingly complex security environment.