The House of Representatives on Monday commenced a two-day public hearing on a set of defence reform bills designed to strengthen Nigeria’s military institutions, improve the welfare of service personnel and veterans, and enhance the Armed Forces’ ability to tackle emerging security threats.

The hearing, organised by the House Committee on Defence at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, attracted lawmakers, senior military officers, security experts, academics, civil society organisations, veterans, and other stakeholders to deliberate on proposed legislation that could significantly reshape the nation’s defence framework.

The review comes as Nigeria continues to confront a range of security challenges, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry and kidnappings in the North-West, communal clashes in the North-Central region, separatist violence in the South-East, as well as growing concerns over maritime insecurity and cybercrime.

Declaring the hearing open, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, said the proposed reforms form a key part of the 10th National Assembly’s agenda to strengthen national security through legislative and institutional changes.

“The bills listed for consideration over the next two days are not mere legislative exercises. They are a direct response to the evolving security threats facing our nation and the need to build a more resilient, inclusive and effective military institution,” Abbas said.

He noted that Nigeria’s Armed Forces continue to face enormous operational demands while responding to multiple security threats across different parts of the country.

“From the relentless insurgency in the North-East to banditry and kidnapping in the North-West, farmer-herder conflicts in the North-Central and separatist agitations in the South-East, our Armed Forces remain stretched, yet they continue to serve as our first and last line of defence,” he stated.

The Speaker also highlighted emerging security concerns such as piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, cyber warfare, and increasing links between organised crime and terrorism, stressing the need for stronger legal and institutional frameworks.

One of the major proposals before the committee seeks to repeal the existing Armed Forces Act and replace it with a new Nigerian Military Force Bill. The proposed legislation is expected to modernise military administration, command structures, and operational procedures to reflect current security realities.

Other bills under consideration include a proposal to establish an Armed Forces Farms and Ranches Scheme aimed at supporting food production and improving logistics within the military.

Additional legislative measures focus on military education, doctrine development, research, healthcare services, and professional training for personnel.

Abbas described the public hearing as an important platform for stakeholder engagement and encouraged participants to contribute actively to the process.

“I call on all stakeholders, serving and retired military personnel, civil society groups, gender experts, veterans, lawyers and ordinary citizens to participate actively. Share your views, offer constructive criticism where necessary, and propose solutions,” he said.

The Speaker assured participants that all submissions would be carefully reviewed and considered in the final drafting of the legislation.

He further argued that addressing Nigeria’s security challenges requires innovative approaches and a willingness to embrace new ideas.

“The security challenges we face today demand bold and fresh thinking. The old approaches have not fully delivered the desired results. We must remain open to legislative innovations,” he added.

In his welcome address, Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, described the hearing as a critical stage in the legislative process and an opportunity for citizens and stakeholders to contribute to policies that affect national defence and security.

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

He emphasised that public participation is essential in developing effective and responsive laws, particularly on matters relating to national security.

“Public hearings provide an opportunity for citizens, experts, institutions and stakeholders to directly influence legislation. Through this process, proposed laws benefit from broader scrutiny, practical insights and diverse perspectives, making them more effective and responsive to national realities,” he said.

Benson also assured stakeholders that every memorandum and oral presentation would be thoroughly reviewed before recommendations are submitted to the House for consideration.

He paid tribute to members of the Armed Forces for their dedication and sacrifices in protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and combating security threats across the country.

The public hearing is expected to generate recommendations that could shape some of the most significant defence reforms currently before the National Assembly. If enacted, the proposed laws could redefine military governance, strengthen support systems for veterans, improve inclusiveness within the Armed Forces, and enhance Nigeria’s capacity to respond to both conventional and emerging security threats.

The exercise forms part of broader efforts by the 10th House of Representatives to modernise the country’s defence sector and address persistent calls for reforms aimed at improving national security outcomes.