The Nigerian Senate has constituted a 20-member committee to plan a national security summit aimed at addressing the country’s growing security concerns.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the formation of the committee during Thursday’s plenary, following unanimous support through a voice vote.
Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), will chair the committee, while Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North) will serve as vice chairman.
Other members include Senators Ireti Kingibe (FCT), Adebule Idiat (Lagos), Barinada Mpigi (Rivers), Babangida Hussaini (Jigawa), Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo), Osita Ngwu (Enugu), Mohammed Monguno (Borno), Titus Zam (Benue), Ahmed Lawan (Yobe), Abdulaziz Yar’adua (Katsina), and Gbenga Daniel (Ogun).
Also appointed are Austin Akobundu (Abia), Shehu Buba (Bauchi), Ahmed Madori (Jigawa), Emmanuel Udende (Benue), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Shuaib Salisu (Ogun), Isah Jibrin (Kogi), and the Clerk of the Senate, Andrew Nwoba.
The committee has been tasked with developing the summit’s framework, identifying priority issues, and proposing actionable strategies to tackle insecurity. It is expected to submit its report within two weeks.
This follows a resolution passed on May 6, after a motion by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC, Ondo South), calling for a national dialogue on insecurity. A key focus of the proposed summit will be the leakage of sensitive military information to terrorists and bandits.
Although a similar summit was held by the 9th National Assembly in 2021, many of its recommendations remain unimplemented, and insecurity has worsened in parts of the country.
Since 2023, the current 10th Senate has held multiple sessions with security chiefs and passed several motions on the issue. However, the prevalence of killings, kidnappings, and attacks has continued to raise public concern and calls for urgent, impactful action.
