Reps Open Hearings on Defense Bills to Boost Military and Veterans' Welfare

By Gift Chapi Odekina, Abuja

ABUJA — The House of Representatives began a two‑day public hearing on Monday, reviewing a set of defence‑related bills designed to strengthen Nigeria’s military structure, improve personnel welfare, and boost the Armed Forces’ ability to address emerging security threats.

At the National Assembly Complex, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen opened the session, noting that the legislation is part of the 10th House Legislative Agenda and responds to Nigeria’s changing security landscape.

Tajudeen highlighted ongoing challenges, including insurgency in the North‑East, banditry and kidnapping in the North‑West, farmer‑herder clashes in the North‑Central, separatist movements in the South‑East, and rising 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.

He explained that the bills aim to modernise the legal and institutional framework governing the military, making it more accountable, inclusive and responsive to contemporary security realities.

Key proposals include a bill to create an Armed Forces Farms and Ranches Scheme to improve food security in conflict‑prone areas, legislation to enhance gender inclusion in the military, a new Nigerian Military Force Bill to replace the existing Armed Forces Act, and a bill to establish a Veterans’ Federation of Nigeria to improve welfare for retired personnel.

Tajudeen assured that the process would not be a “rubber stamp” exercise and that all stakeholder submissions would be considered in the final report.

Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, emphasized that the hearing was intended 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 praised the Armed Forces for their sacrifices in safeguarding the country and urged stakeholders to submit memoranda and presentations.

The hearing also revealed divergent views on the proposed Veterans’ Federation of Nigeria (VFN) Bill, especially from retired military personnel.

Some stakeholders, including G.A. Olonisakin, argued that the proposed structure aligns with international best practices, citing models in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, where veterans’ organisations operate as associations while welfare is managed by government agencies.

Others opposed the bill in its current form, contending that it concentrates leadership positions in the hands of senior officers and does not adequately represent lower‑ranked veterans.

A retired non‑commissioned officer and legal practitioner, Sadiqe Nwabuezeh, described the proposal as skewed and called for the creation of a dedicated Ministry of Veterans Affairs managed by former service members.

He argued that veterans should have greater control over institutions created for their welfare and insisted that representation must be more inclusive across all ranks.

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.

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