By Mercy Gadia
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, on Monday said Nigeria’s security challenges require bold and innovative approaches, noting that existing strategies have not delivered the desired results.
Abbas stated this while declaring open a public hearing on security-related bills organised by the House Committee on Defence in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, the Speaker said the proposed legislative measures would form part of the legacy of the 10th National Assembly.
He said, “Let me state clearly: the security challenges we face today demand bold, fresh thinking. The old ways have not fully worked. We must be open to legislative innovations.”
The Speaker explained that the hearing was part of efforts by the House to strengthen the legal and institutional frameworks guiding the Armed Forces.
He added that the exercise was designed to encourage robust and evidence-based contributions from stakeholders.
“This is not a rubber stamp exercise but a platform for meaningful engagement that will help us build a more resilient and effective military institution,” he said.
Abbas listed some of the bills under consideration to include the Armed Forces Farms and Ranches Scheme Bill, which seeks to link food security with military operations, particularly in conflict-prone areas.
Others are the Gender Representation in the Armed Forces Bill, the Nigerian Military Force Bill, which seeks to repeal the Armed Forces Act, and the Veterans’ Federation of Nigeria Bill aimed at improving the welfare of ex-service personnel.
He said the proposals were a direct response to evolving security threats, adding that they formed a core part of the legislative agenda of the current Assembly.
The Speaker urged stakeholders, including military personnel, civil society groups, and legal practitioners, to actively participate in the process.
“Do not hold back because you think your voice does not matter. It does. Every memorandum will be read, every oral presentation will be noted, and all relevant contributions will be considered,” he assured.
He also pledged that the House Committee on Defence would conduct the exercise with transparency and fairness.
“We are here to serve the Nigerian people and to produce legislation that will make our Armed Forces more professional, accountable, and effective,” Abbas added.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, said the bills were designed to address critical areas such as military education, operational effectiveness, healthcare support, and veterans’ welfare.
He noted that the proposals also focused on strengthening military governance, promoting inclusiveness, and enhancing strategic research and doctrine development.
Benson said, “As security threats continue to evolve—from terrorism and insurgency to cyber threats and transnational crime—our legal and institutional frameworks must also evolve.”
He urged stakeholders to make meaningful contributions to ensure that the bills are refined in the national interest.
“Every submission received will be carefully considered by the committee,” he added.