By Joy Odor
The 10th Senate is set to host a two-day National Security Summit to address Nigeria’s pressing issues, including deteriorating security, food shortages, and economic hardship.
The summit is aimed to develop effective strategies to tackle these challenges and enhance military operations.
Leading the debate on the motion moved by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim and co-sponsored by Senators Titus Zam (APC, Benue North West), Nwebonyi Onyeka Peter (Ebonyi North) and Osita Ngwu (Enugu West) emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to security, citing global trends and their impact on local insecurity.
He noted that the Russia-Ukraine war, growing global tensions, and tariff wars have exacerbated food insecurity and hindered progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Senator Ibrahim praised President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to restoring peace and pledged the Senate’s support with actionable intelligence and strategic engagement.
He stressed that “no country allows its citizens to experience security by living with insecurity” and emphasized the importance of upholding the ideology of peace for all, as outlined in the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Senate constituted an Ad-hoc committee to organize the summit, which will bring together delegates from all levels of government and traditional institutions.
The summit’s recommendations are expected to inform the revision and strengthening of the country’s security policies.
While some lawmakers expressed concerns about the effectiveness of another summit, others supported the motion, highlighting the need for improved intelligence-sharing among security agencies and transparency in fund allocation.
Contributing, Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), however said rather than convene a national security summit, the security chiefs should be interrogated by the Senate to step up their game.
He said, “I don’t believe having a security summit is the answer. We should call the Inspector General of Police, National Security Adviser (NSA), Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Defence Staff and others.”
Aliero who expressed worry over the continuous springing up of terror groups in the country said, “We need to discuss with the security chiefs here in the chambers one on one. They should make more sacrifices for Nigeria.”
He also suggested the need for the adoption of non-kinetic approach in tackling insecurity, saying, “the federal, state and local governments should do something about the non-kinetic approach
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe expressed worry that similar summits were held in the past, but that the outcome was never implemented.
“We have had security summit. But there is no one of us who does not know what is happening,” he said.
A co-sponsor of the motion, Senator Zam, urged the Senate to play its part and leave the rest to the executive arm, saying “I suggest we convene the security summit.”
Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) warned that “If we keep doing same thing without achieving results, we are deceiving ourselves.”
He stressed the need for the Senate to interface with security chiefs before the summit.
After delibrating on the motion, the Senators approved the motion when put to voice vote by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The Senate however tasked the Federal Government to implement the summit’s recommendations and strengthen the country’s security policies accordingly.
