House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas has said the security challenges facing the nation demand bold, fresh thinking, since the old ways of addressing these issues have not worked.

Abbas, who spoke at a public hearing on defence-related Bills organised by the House Committee on Defence, said the nation must be opened to legislative innovations.

The Speaker noted that the Bills are a direct response to the evolving security threats facing the nation and the imperative to build a more resilient, inclusive, and effective military institution.

He said: “We cannot pretend that our nation is at ease.

“From the relentless insurgency in the Northeast to the scourge of banditry and kidnapping in the Northwest, the farmer-herder crises in the Northcentral and the separatist agitations in the Southeast, our Armed Forces are stretched, yet they remain our first and last line of defence.

“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.”

Abbas said the public hearing was not organised to rubber-stamp the Bills but to serve as a platform for robust, evidence-based engagement.

The Bills being considered by the House include the Armed Forces Farms and Ranches Scheme linking national food security with military capacity, especially in conflict-prone agricultural zones, and the Gender Representation in the Armed Forces Bill, recognising that no security force can be truly effective without harnessing the talents of all citizens, regardless of gender.

Also being considered is a repeal of the Armed Forces Act and Enactment of the Nigerian Military Force Bill to present a comprehensive overhaul of military administration for modern threats and Veterans’ Federation of Nigeria Bill, which seeks to ensure that those who have bled for the nation do not suffer in silence after service.

Abbas urged the stakeholders – serving and retired military personnel, civil society, gender experts, veterans, lawyers and ordinary citizens – to participate actively. Share your memoranda, speak your truth, critique, where necessary, and propose solutions, the Speaker told the stakeholders.

He added: “Do not hold back because you think your voice does not matter. It does. Do not stay away because you fear your submission will be ignored. I give you my word – every memorandum will be read, every oral presentation will be noted, and all relevant contributions will be considered and, where applicable, incorporated into the final reports and Bills. This is our legacy as the people’s Assembly.

“Let me assure you that this committee, under the able leadership of its Chairman, Babajimi Benson, will conduct these proceedings with the utmost transparency and fairness.

“We are not here to defend any interest or hidden agenda. We are here to serve the Nigerian people and to produce legislation that will make our Armed Forces more professional, more accountable, more gender-sensitive, and more effective in protecting lives and property.

“As we deliberate over the next two days, let us remember the men and women of our Armed Forces who are today in the trenches, in the forests and on the waters, risking their lives for our peace. Let us give them laws that support them. Let us give the nation a military that is fit for purpose in the 21st century.”

Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos), said the Bills aimed to strengthen Nigeria’s defence architecture, enhance military professionalism, improve the welfare of service personnel and veterans and position the nation’s Armed Forces to effectively address the evolving security challenges facing the nation.

The lawmaker said the gathering was more than a legislative formality but a vital democratic exercise, adding that public hearings are among the most important stages of the lawmaking process because they provide an opportunity for citizens, experts, institutions and stakeholders to participate directly in shaping legislation.

He said: “Through this process, proposed laws benefit from broader scrutiny, practical insights and diverse perspectives, ensuring that the final outcomes are more effective, inclusive and responsive to national realities.

“For us as legislators, stakeholder engagement strengthens transparency, accountability and public confidence in the legislative process. It also reinforces the principle that the best laws are those that reflect the collective wisdom and aspirations of the people they are intended to serve.

“The importance of public participation becomes even more significant when dealing with matters of defence and national security. Defence legislation affects national sovereignty, military effectiveness, operational readiness and ultimately the safety and well-being of every Nigerian.

“As security threats continue to evolve – from terrorism and insurgency to cyber threats and transnational crime – our legal and institutional frameworks must also evolve to meet contemporary realities.

“The Bills before us today address several critical aspects of national defence, including military education and professional development, joint operational effectiveness, medical training and healthcare support, strategic research and doctrine development, veterans’ welfare, military governance reforms, food security initiatives, and greater inclusiveness within the Armed Forces. Collectively, these proposals represent an important effort to build a stronger, more professional, innovative and future-ready military institution.

“I, therefore, encourage all stakeholders present to participate actively and constructively in these deliberations. Whether through oral presentations or written memoranda, your contributions will help ensure that these Bills are strengthened and refined in the national interest. I assure you that every submission received will be carefully considered by the committee.

“Permit me also to, as always, acknowledge the immense sacrifices of the officers and men of the Armed Forces of Nigeria who continue to serve our nation with courage, professionalism and dedication, often under extremely difficult conditions. Their service underscores the importance of ensuring that our laws provide the institutional support necessary for them to carry out their constitutional responsibilities effectively.

“As we commence this public hearing, let us be guided by patriotism, objectivity and a shared commitment to the security and prosperity of Nigeria. Let us engage openly, listen respectfully and work collectively towards legislative outcomes that will strengthen our defence sector and contribute to national development.” (The Nation)

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