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…as ex-servicemen call for a greater voice in proposed support structures

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has begun deliberations on a package of defence-related bills aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s military framework, enhancing the welfare of serving and retired personnel, and improving the Armed Forces’ capacity to confront the country’s increasingly complex security challenges.

The two-day public hearing, which opened on Monday at the National Assembly Complex, attracted lawmakers, military personnel, veterans, civil society groups and policy experts. Discussions centred on legislative proposals designed to modernise military operations, strengthen accountability and address emerging threats to national security.

Opening the hearing, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, said the proposed reforms were a direct response to the changing nature of insecurity across the country and formed an important part of the legislative priorities of the 10th House.

He pointed to the persistent threats facing Nigeria, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry and kidnappings in the North-West, farmer-herder clashes in the North-Central, separatist agitations in the South-East, as well as newer challenges such as cyber warfare, maritime piracy and organised criminal networks with links 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,” the Speaker said.

According to Abbas, the bills seek to strengthen the legal and institutional foundations of the military, ensuring that the Armed Forces become more effective, accountable, inclusive and adaptable to contemporary security realities.

Among the key proposals before lawmakers is a bill to establish an Armed Forces Farms and Ranches Scheme aimed at boosting food security, particularly in areas affected by conflict. Other measures include legislation to improve gender representation within the military, a proposal to repeal and replace the Armed Forces Act with a new Nigerian Military Force Bill, and a bill seeking the creation of a Veterans’ Federation of Nigeria to enhance support for retired service personnel.

The issue of veterans’ welfare featured prominently during the proceedings, with retired military personnel advocating stronger representation in the proposed welfare framework and greater involvement in decisions affecting former members of the Armed Forces.

Abbas assured participants that the public hearing will not be treated as a mere formality, stressing that all contributions would receive careful consideration before the bills return to the House.

“I give you my word every memorandum will be read, every oral presentation will be noted, and all relevant contributions will be considered and, where applicable, incorporated into the final reports and bills,” Abbas assured stakeholders.

He encouraged active participation from serving and retired military officers, civil society organisations, legal practitioners, gender advocates and members of the public, noting that innovative legislation would be essential in responding to the country’s multifaceted security concerns.

The Speaker also commended the House Committee on Defence for organising the hearing and expressed confidence in the committee’s ability to manage an open, transparent and inclusive process.

“We are here to serve the Nigerian people and to produce legislation that will make our Armed Forces more professional, more accountable, more gender-sensitive, and more effective in protecting lives and property,” he said.

In his welcome address, Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, described the public hearing as a critical democratic exercise designed to ensure stakeholder participation in the lawmaking process.

According to Benson, defence legislation directly impacts national sovereignty, military effectiveness, operational readiness and the safety of Nigerians, making public input essential.

“The importance of public participation becomes even more significant when dealing with matters of defence and national security,” he said.

He explained that the bills address key areas including military education and professional development, joint operational effectiveness, medical training and healthcare support, strategic research and doctrine development, military governance reforms, food security initiatives, veterans’ welfare and inclusiveness within the Armed Forces.

“Collectively, these proposals represent an important effort to build a stronger, more professional, innovative and future-ready military institution,” Benson stated.

The lawmaker encouraged stakeholders to make oral presentations and submit memoranda, assuring them that all submissions would be carefully reviewed by the committee.

He also paid tribute to officers and soldiers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria for their dedication and sacrifices in safeguarding the nation despite difficult operating conditions.

The hearing also witnessed strong reactions from some veterans who expressed reservations about aspects of the proposed Veterans’ Federation of Nigeria Bill.

Supporters of the proposed (VFN) Bill urged lawmakers to adopt a framework they said aligns with international best practices for veterans’ welfare and representation.

In a policy brief submitted to the Committee, G.A Olonisakin speaking on behalf of veteran stakeholders argued that the debate surrounding the bill should focus on facts, global standards and the welfare of Nigerian veterans rather than on institutional sentiments or nomenclature.

The memorandum noted that in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, veterans’ organisations such as the American Legion, the Royal British Legion and the Royal Canadian Legion operate as non-governmental charitable associations rather than statutory government bodies.

According to the submission, responsibility for veterans’ welfare in those countries rests with dedicated government agencies, including the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Affairs Canada, the United Kingdom’s Office for Veterans Affairs and Australia’s Department of Veterans Affairs.

The stakeholders further argued that Nigeria’s current arrangement, in which the Nigerian Legion combines the roles of both an association and a statutory government body, is uncommon internationally.

They maintained that the proposed VFN model would bring Nigeria closer to global standards by creating a government-driven umbrella body for veterans while preserving the identities of existing associations.

“The proposed Veterans Federation of Nigeria follows international practice by creating one umbrella body for all veterans and veterans’ associations, ensuring inclusiveness across Army, Navy and Air Force veterans, strengthening welfare coordination and improving engagement with government,” the memorandum stated.

The submission also sought to allay fears that the bill would undermine the Nigerian Legion, stressing that the federation would not erase the Legion’s history, traditions or identity.

Rather, it said, the Nigerian Legion would continue to exist as one of the recognised constituent bodies within the proposed federation alongside other veterans’ associations.

The position contrasted with concerns raised by some retired personnel who argued that the bill concentrates leadership positions in the hands of senior officers and called instead for the establishment of a standalone Ministry of Veterans Affairs headed by veterans.

The differing perspectives highlighted the intense interest among stakeholders in shaping the future structure of veterans’ welfare and representation in Nigeria, one of the key issues under consideration during the two-day public hearing.

Also a retired non-commissioned officer and legal practitioner,  Sadiqe Nwabuezeh who identified himself as a former sergeant in the Nigerian Army, argued that the draft legislation was overly tilted in favour of senior military officers and failed to adequately accommodate the interests of rank-and-file veterans.

According to him, provisions of the bill appeared to reserve key leadership positions for retired senior officers, including the office of the Director-General, which he said was proposed to be occupied by a retired major general.

He urged lawmakers to reject the bill in its current form and instead consider the establishment of a dedicated Ministry of Veterans Affairs that would be managed by veterans themselves.

“The bill was not properly prepared. It was rushed and concentrates power in the hands of senior officers. We want a level playing ground where all veterans, regardless of rank, can participate in leadership and decision-making,” he told the hearing.

The retired soldier further questioned the involvement of serving military personnel and civilians in handling veterans’ affairs, arguing that retired personnel were best positioned to manage issues affecting former service members.

He maintained that veterans should have greater control over institutions established for their welfare and called for reforms that would guarantee broader representation across all ranks of retired military personnel.

The submission added to a range of perspectives presented by stakeholders as lawmakers continued deliberations on proposals aimed at reforming military administration, strengthening veterans’ welfare and enhancing the effectiveness of Nigeria’s defence sector.

The two-day hearing is expected to produce recommendations that will guide the House Committee on Defence in finalising the bills before their consideration by the House of Representatives.

The hearing is expected to continue on Tuesday, with stakeholders presenting memoranda and recommendations that could shape the future of Nigeria’s military and veterans’ support systems.