The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill to amend the Armed Forces Act of Nigeria (Cap A20, 2004).
The bill, sponsored by Hon. Aminu Balele, Hon. Midala Usman, and Hon. Daniel Asama, aims to make the command structure of the Armed Forces clearer.
- Djokovic pulls out of Paris Masters
- ASUU Suspends Strike, Gives Government One Month To Meet Its Demands
It also seeks to improve coordination, discipline, and efficiency in military operations.
During the debate, Hon. Midala Usman said the amendment would help the military work more effectively by clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of its officers. He explained that this would ensure that orders are properly followed and that security challenges are dealt with quickly and efficiently.
He said: “This bill is important because it will clearly define the structure, command, and duties of the Armed Forces. It will also explain the roles of the Armed Forces Council, the Minister of Defence, and the Service Chiefs. The goal is to strengthen the authority of the Chief of Defence Staff and the Service Chiefs while maintaining civilian control.”
Hon. Usman added that the bill would improve accountability and discipline in the military while keeping a clear line between civilian and military responsibilities.
“The amendment will promote transparency, discipline, and effective oversight of the Armed Forces,” he said.