The House of Representatives on Monday began a two-day public hearing on a package of defence reform bills aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s military institutions, improving the welfare of service personnel and veterans, and equipping the Armed Forces to respond more effectively to evolving security threats.
The hearing was organised by the House Committee on Defence at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas said the proposed legislation forms part of the 10th Assembly’s efforts to strengthen national security through institutional and legal reforms, and that the bills are a direct response to the evolving security threats facing the nation, including insurgency in the North East, banditry in the North West, separatist violence in the South East, and emerging threats such as piracy and cyber warfare.
Among the key proposals is a bill seeking to repeal the Armed Forces Act and replace it with a new Nigerian Military Force Bill to modernise military administration and command structures, alongside legislation proposing the establishment of an Armed Forces Farms and Ranches Scheme to support food production and logistics within the military.
Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, said the bills cover critical areas including professional military education, joint operational effectiveness, healthcare support, strategic research, governance reforms, veterans’ welfare, and inclusiveness within the Armed Forces.
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