Reps advance bill to amend Armed Forces Act for improved coordination, accountability

The House of Representatives has advance a bill to amend the Armed Forces Act to strengthen the command structure and improve operational efficiency within the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Aminu Balele, in collaboration with Reps. Midala Usman and Daniel Asama, also seeks to enhance accountability in the military.

Leading the debate, Usman said that the proposed legislation aimed to clarify the roles, responsibilities and command structure of the military.

He said that the bill also sought to ensure effective coordination, discipline and operational efficiency in the armed forces.

The lawmaker further stated that the amendment was crucial to modernising Nigeria’s military laws, in line with constitutional provisions and global best practices.

He said that the proposed amendment sought to promote operational efficiency, constitutional compliance, civilian oversight and enhanced accountability in the military.

“The primary objective of this bill is to clarify the composition, command and operational responsibilities of the armed forces.

“It is to delineate the functions of the Forces Council, the Minister of Defence and the Service Chiefs; reinforce the command authority of the Chief of Defence Staff and the Service Chiefs; and ensure effective civilian oversight while maintaining the constitutional command structure,” Usman said.

He said that the bill also reaffirmed the president’s role as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, with the Chief of Defence Staff exercising general superintendence over the military’s command and coordination.

The lawmaker appealed to his colleagues to support the bill for second reading, saying that it was a necessary reform to strengthen Nigeria’s defence architecture.

In his ruling, the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, referred the bill to the relevant committees for further legislative actions.