Lawmakers seek to overhaul national security legislation amid growing concerns over safety.

The House of Representatives initiated a two-day public hearing on Monday to deliberate on a set of defence reform bills designed to bolster Nigeria's military institutions, enhance the welfare of service personnel and veterans, and equip the Armed Forces to respond more effectively to emerging security threats.

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Organised by the House Committee on Defence at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, the hearing brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including lawmakers, senior military officers, security experts, academics, civil society groups, veterans, and other interested parties, to examine proposed legislation that could significantly transform the country's defence architecture.

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Nigeria is currently grappling with a complex and expanding security environment, marked by insurgency in the North-East, banditry and mass abductions in the North-West, communal conflicts in the North-Central region, separatist violence in the South-East, and growing concerns over maritime security and cyber threats.

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Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, declared the hearing open, stating that the proposed legislation forms part of the 10th Assembly's efforts to strengthen national security through institutional and legal reforms, and noting that the bills are a direct response to the evolving security threats facing the nation.

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Abbas emphasised that the proposed legislation is not merely a legislative exercise, but a core component of the Legislative Agenda in the 10th Assembly, aimed at building a more resilient, inclusive, and effective military institution.

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The Speaker noted that the Armed Forces are under intense operational pressure as they confront multiple security challenges across the country, including the relentless insurgency in the North-East, banditry and kidnapping in the North-West, farmer-herder crises in the North-Central, and separatist agitations in the South-East.

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Abbas warned that emerging threats, such as piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, cyber warfare, and the growing links between organised criminal networks and terrorist groups, require a more robust legal and institutional framework.

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Among the key proposals before the committee is a bill seeking to repeal the Armed Forces Act and replace it with a new Nigerian Military Force Bill, aimed at modernising military administration, command structures, and operational frameworks in line with contemporary security realities.

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Other bills under consideration include legislation proposing the establishment of an Armed Forces Farms and Ranches Scheme to support food production and logistics within the military, as well as proposals focusing on military education, doctrine development, research, healthcare services, and professional training within the Armed Forces.

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Abbas described the public hearing as an opportunity for broad stakeholder engagement and urged participants to contribute openly to the legislative process, sharing their memoranda, speaking their truth, critiquing where necessary, and proposing solutions.

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The Speaker assured participants that their views would play a meaningful role in shaping the final legislation, and encouraged them to participate actively, stating that every memorandum would be read, every oral presentation would be noted, and all relevant contributions would be considered and incorporated into the final reports and bills.

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Abbas argued that the country's security challenges require new approaches beyond traditional responses, and that the old ways have not fully worked, necessitating bold, fresh thinking and legislative innovations.

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Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Mr Babajimi Benson, said the hearing represents a critical stage in the lawmaking process, providing citizens and stakeholders with an opportunity to influence policies affecting national defence and security.

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Benson stressed that public participation is essential to producing effective and responsive legislation, as it allows for broader scrutiny, practical insights, and diverse perspectives, ensuring that the final outcomes are more effective, inclusive, and responsive to national realities.

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According to Benson, the bills cover critical areas of military operations and administration, including professional military education, joint operational effectiveness, healthcare support, strategic research, governance reforms, veterans' welfare, food security initiatives, and inclusiveness within the Armed Forces.

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Benson assured stakeholders that all memoranda and oral submissions would be thoroughly reviewed before the committee submits its recommendations to the House, and paid tribute to members of the Armed Forces for their sacrifices in defending the nation's territorial integrity and combating security threats.

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The public hearing is expected to produce recommendations that will shape some of the most far-reaching defence reforms currently before the National Assembly, potentially redefining military governance, strengthening support systems for veterans, promoting greater inclusiveness within the Armed Forces, and enhancing the country's capacity to respond to both traditional and emerging security threats.

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The exercise forms part of broader efforts by the 10th House of Representatives to modernise Nigeria's defence sector amid persistent insecurity and growing calls for institutional reforms to improve national security outcomes.