The House of Representatives on Monday, June 15, 2026 commenced a two-day public hearing on a series of defence-related bills aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s military structure, improving personnel welfare, and enhancing the Armed Forces’ capacity to respond to emerging security threats.
Opening the hearing at the National Assembly Complex, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, said the proposed legislation forms part of the 10th House Legislative Agenda and is a response to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
He noted that the country continues to face insurgency in the North-East, banditry and kidnapping in the North-West, farmer-herder conflicts in the North-Central, separatist agitations in the South-East, as well as growing threats such as cybercrime, maritime piracy and organised crime linked to terrorism.
“We cannot pretend that our nation is at ease. Our Armed Forces are stretched, yet they remain our first and last line of defence,” he said.
According to him, the bills under consideration seek to modernise the legal and institutional framework governing the military, making it more accountable, inclusive and responsive to contemporary security realities.
Among the proposals are:
- HB.1820, which seeks to establish an Armed Forces Farms and Ranches Scheme to support food security and military operations in conflict-prone agricultural communities;
- HB.1719, which focuses on gender representation in the Armed Forces;
- HB.1949, which proposes the repeal of the Armed Forces Act and the enactment of a new Nigerian Military Force Bill; and
- HB.1950, which seeks to establish a legal framework for the welfare and representation of military veterans.
Tajudeen stressed that the process was not a “rubber stamp” exercise, assuring that all submissions from stakeholders would be considered in the final report.
In his remarks, Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, said the hearing was designed to ensure broad stakeholder participation in defence policymaking.
He said the proposed laws cover military training, operational coordination, healthcare, research and doctrine development, governance reforms, food security initiatives and veterans’ welfare.
Benson commended members of the Armed Forces for their sacrifices in safeguarding the country and urged stakeholders to actively contribute memoranda and presentations.
The public hearing is expected to conclude with recommendations that will guide the House Committee on Defence as it finalises the bills for further legislative consideration.
