By Mercy Aikoye
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has said the National Assembly is committed to strengthening Nigeria’s defence architecture through a series of legislative reforms aimed at addressing emerging security challenges.
Abbas made the remarks on Monday in Abuja while declaring open a public hearing on several defence-related bills organised by the House Committee on Defence.
According to the Speaker, the proposed legislation goes beyond routine lawmaking and represents a strategic response to the country’s evolving security landscape.
“These bills are not mere legislative exercises. They are a direct response to the evolving security threats facing our beloved nation and are designed to build a more resilient, professional and inclusive military,” he said.
Abbas noted that Nigeria continues to grapple with insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and separatist agitations, while emerging threats such as piracy, cyber warfare and the growing nexus between organised crime and terrorism have further complicated the security environment.
“Our Armed Forces are stretched, yet they remain our first and last line of defence,” he stated.
The Speaker explained that the bills under consideration address critical areas of military operations, administration and welfare. Among them is HB.1820, which seeks to establish the Armed Forces Farms and Ranches Scheme to support food security and economic sustainability within the military.
Another bill, HB.1719, seeks to enhance gender representation in the Armed Forces, while HB.1949 proposes the repeal and re-enactment of the Armed Forces Act through a new Nigerian Military Force Bill. HB.1950 focuses on providing a comprehensive legal framework for the welfare and representation of retired military personnel.
Abbas added that other legislative proposals before the committee also address military education, doctrine, medical services and institutional reforms, all of which align with the objectives of the 10th House Legislative Agenda.
Emphasising the importance of stakeholder participation, the Speaker described the hearing as a platform for meaningful engagement rather than a procedural formality.
“This Public Hearing is not a rubber stamp. It is a platform for robust, evidence-based engagement. The old ways have not fully worked, and we must be willing to embrace innovative legislative solutions,” he said.
He urged participants to make their contributions without hesitation, assuring them that all memoranda and presentations would receive due consideration.
“Do not hold back because you think your voice does not matter. It does,” Abbas said.
Earlier, Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Hon. Babajimi Benson, stressed the importance of public input in shaping defence legislation.
He noted that defence laws have far-reaching implications for national sovereignty, military effectiveness and the safety of citizens, adding that evolving threats such as terrorism, cybercrime and transnational criminal activities require modern legal frameworks.
Benson said the hearing provides an opportunity for experts, stakeholders and members of the public to contribute to reforms that will strengthen Nigeria’s defence sector and improve military readiness.
Abbas concluded by paying tribute to members of the Armed Forces serving in various operational theatres across the country.
“Let us remember the men and women of our Armed Forces who are in the trenches, in the forests and on the waters, risking their lives daily in service to the nation,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the proposed reforms would help build a 21st-century military that is professional, accountable, effective and fully equipped to meet contemporary security challenges.
