Nigeria’s Senate has taken decisive steps to overhaul the country’s struggling security framework, approving a series of comprehensive reforms aimed at curbing escalating violence and criminal activities. In a plenary session presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, lawmakers unanimously adopted the recommendations of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the National Security Summit, signaling broad legislative consensus on the urgent need for change.
The reforms place a strong emphasis on decentralising the policing system, with a proposed constitutional amendment to create state police forces. Lawmakers argue that empowering governors and local authorities as chief security officers in their regions will improve local intelligence gathering, strengthen early warning networks and enable quicker responses to threats.
Beyond policing reforms, the Senate called for a comprehensive redesign of Nigeria’s security architecture to prioritise proactive, intelligence-led operations over reactive responses. This includes bolstering collaboration between the military, police, intelligence agencies and community groups through joint operations centres, alongside the strengthening of vigilante outfits and the establishment of security liaison committees at the ward level.
To address the root causes of insecurity, the Senate recommended the creation of a National Youth Stabilisation Fund targeted at conflict-prone areas to tackle unemployment, poverty, drug addiction and radicalisation. It also urged stricter regulation of illegal mining activities that have been identified as drivers of violence.
Recognising the role of modern technology in enhancing security, the reforms call for significant investment in surveillance infrastructure such as drones, CCTV cameras and border sensors, as well as improved communication systems and rapid response capabilities. The Senate also proposed mobile courts to expedite justice and the fast-tracking of a National Security and Recovery Bill to support post-conflict rebuilding efforts.
In reaffirming its commitment to restoring peace and protecting lives across Nigeria, the upper chamber underscored the importance of engaging traditional and religious institutions as key stakeholders in the nation’s security strategy.
