By Ameh Gabriel
The Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, delivered a high-level lecture to participants of the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS), United Kingdom, and their Nigerian counterparts at the National Defence College (NDC), Abuja.
Speaking on the theme “National Security and Resilience: Strategic Imperatives for a Secure Nigeria,” Rt. Hon. Abbas emphasised the crucial role of strategic alliances, inter-agency collaboration, and international partnerships in addressing the growing complexities of global and regional security threats.
He urged defence stakeholders to adopt innovative approaches, leveraging intelligence sharing, joint training, and technological advancements to tackle the nation’s security challenges. According to the Speaker, the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has introduced forward-thinking policies focused on strengthening national security, enhancing institutional capacity, and promoting economic stability.
He identified food security as a vital component of national resilience and a fundamental element of Nigeria’s broader security framework.
Addressing the threats in cyberspace, Rt. Hon. Abbas described the internet as a double-edged sword, lamenting its misuse by criminal elements. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a strong national cyber defence architecture backed by legislation, international collaboration, and public-private partnerships.
“Cyber awareness initiatives and inclusive security education are vital to safeguarding our national digital assets and building public confidence,” he stated.
The Speaker also highlighted the growing relevance of environmental and energy security to Nigeria’s strategic priorities. “Collaborations with the private sector are being explored to bolster infrastructure protection and sustainable energy development,” he added.
In his analysis of Nigeria’s security landscape, Rt. Hon. Abbas listed major challenges such as insurgency in the North East, banditry and kidnapping in the North West, farmer-herder clashes in the North Central, oil theft in the South South, and separatist-related activities in the South East. He assured that the Federal Government is actively addressing these issues through coordinated military operations, grassroots engagement, and sustainable development initiatives.
Earlier in the programmed, Rear Admiral Steve Dainton (rtd), who led the RCDS delegation, stated that their visit formed part of a strategic tour of West African nations aimed at fostering mutual understanding and enhancing curriculum synergy between RCDS and NDC Nigeria. He praised the NDC for its professionalism and strategic insight, noting that the interactions had deepened their appreciation of Nigeria’s security environment and defense education model.
In his welcome address, the Commandant of the National Defense College, Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu, thanked the Speaker for honoring the College with his presence and for his continued support. He reiterated NDC’s commitment to promoting international defense cooperation, strategic policy engagement, and leadership development. He also highlighted the College’s proud legacy of training elite officers from Nigeria and allied countries since its establishment in 1992.
The event was graced by members and principal officers of the House of Representatives, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, the British Defense Attaché to Nigeria, Brigadier General Thomas, and other distinguished guests.
