Amid growing concern over Nigeria’s worsening security situation, the Senate has resolved to hold a National Security Summit aimed at finding practical solutions to the country’s multifaceted security challenges.
The summit, which will run for three days in Abuja, is expected to bring together representatives from the Federal, State, and Local Governments, alongside traditional rulers, security agencies, and student unions. It will provide a platform for all stakeholders to have frank and holistic discussions on how to restore peace and stability across Nigeria.
The decision was reached on Tuesday following a motion titled “Urgent Need for a National Security Summit,” sponsored by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC, Ondo South) and co-sponsored by Senators Zam Titus (Benue North-West), Peter Onyeka Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North), and Ngwu Osita (Enugu West).
Leading the debate, Senator Ibrahim said Nigeria must face its internal insecurity challenges head-on while remaining mindful of the broader global context.
According to him, recent events in the country had led to feelings of discomfort and insecurity, which have placed the past accomplishments of our security forces at risk.
He drew attention to global issues like the Russia–Ukraine war and economic tensions between the global North and South, which he said have deepened food insecurity and impacted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Insecurity across Nigeria has become pervasive, impacting both urban and rural areas. Where banditry, ransom kidnappings and terrorism were pressing issues across the country as well as other violent crimes,” Senator Ibrahim lamented.
He noted that Nigeria’s past political experiences, such as the Kano riots of 1953, the constitutional crises in the Eastern Region during the 1960s, and election-related violence in the 1980s, serve as important reminders of how political instability can quickly spiral into national crises.
He stressed the importance of supporting President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to national peace.
“President Bola Tinubu was serious about the peace of Nigeria, so there is a need for some fact-finding intelligence support for the President’s efforts,” he said.
He added, “No country will allow its citizens to understand security by living with insecurity. Therefore, the ideology of peace for all, as outlined in the executive policies of the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’, should be upheld and promoted.”
Contributing to the motion, Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, backed the call for a summit, saying it was time to try new approaches to Nigeria’s complex security problems.
“What is before us now is whether we should convoke a national security summit. These security challenges are happening in every area and in different dimensions. In proffering solutions to the security challenges, there is no one-size-fits-all approach,” Senator Moro stated.
“We’ve provided solutions in the past, and they have not worked does not stop us from proffering solutions. Now that we are confronted with hydra-headed insecurity, there is nothing that stops us from exploring all means of bringing insecurity to a halt.”
Also speaking, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, noted that the summit would not be limited to policymakers alone but will include traditional leaders and youth groups to reflect the realities on the ground.
He said, “The summit would comprise delegates from states, communities affected, traditional rulers and students’ unions,” stressing that “this is to have a holistic debate because security is everybody’s business.”
The Senate thereafter constituted an ad hoc committee to organise the summit and called on the Federal Government to review and reform existing security policies based on the recommendations that will emerge from the gathering.
It is expected that the summit will not only build on the foundation laid by previous efforts, such as the National Security Summit organised under the 9th Senate, but also provide fresh and actionable solutions to the crisis currently gripping the nation.
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