The Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the National Security Summit has commenced preparations for the National Security Summit, a major initiative aimed at developing practical and consensus-driven solutions to Nigeria’s persistent security challenges.
Chairman of the Committee and Leader of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, CON, announced the commencement of the planning process on Wednesday following a meeting of the committee held at the Senate Leader’s Conference Room, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
According to Senator Bamidele, the summit is envisioned as a national platform that will deepen stakeholder engagement and generate broad-based recommendations for consideration by both the Senate and the Executive Arm of Government in strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.
“Today, I chaired the meeting of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the National Security Summit aimed at addressing some of the security challenges facing our dear country,” Senator Bamidele said.
He noted that the meeting was attended by members of the committee who deliberated extensively, demonstrating what he described as their commitment to ending criminal activities such as banditry, kidnapping, insurgency and communal clashes affecting different parts of the country.
The Senate Leader recalled that in November 2025, the committee conducted public hearings across the six geopolitical zones of the federation as part of its mandate to consult widely on the nation’s security situation. The hearings attracted broad participation from the Armed Forces, security and intelligence agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, state governments, community-based organisations, civil society groups, academia, youth and women groups, as well as other concerned Nigerians.
He explained that the recommendations from the zonal consultations were subsequently compiled into an interim report presented before the Senate, where members of the committee received commendation for their diligence and commitment to the assignment.
Senator Bamidele disclosed that the committee has now moved into the next phase of its assignment with decisions taken at Wednesday’s meeting to guide preparations for the National Security Summit, which is scheduled to hold later this year.
“The summit is envisioned as a national platform that will facilitate further engagement and generate consensus-driven recommendations for consideration by the Senate and the Executive Arm of Government,” he stated.
According to him, the summit will consolidate the outcomes of the nationwide consultations while providing an opportunity for stakeholders to develop practical and sustainable approaches to addressing the country’s complex security challenges.
He expressed optimism that the outcomes of the summit would strengthen Nigeria’s national security framework, promote coordinated responses across all levels of government and support the development of practical strategies for tackling insecurity.
The Senate Leader also commended members of the committee for their dedication and the sense of urgency they have attached to the assignment, expressing confidence that the committee’s work would contribute significantly to improving the nation’s security.
“I thank all members of this committee for the sense of national responsibility and urgency attached to this crucial assignment,” Senator Bamidele said.
The proposed National Security Summit is expected to bring together key stakeholders from government, the security sector, traditional institutions, civil society and other strategic partners to build consensus on sustainable solutions to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Tolu Meduna is a Policy Communications, Development and Social Impact Consultant.
