Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has thrown his weight behind the 10th Senate’s proposed two-day National Security Summit, describing it as a timely initiative to tackle the country’s growing security concerns. The summit aims to discuss solutions to rising insecurity in the country, following a motion sponsored by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, representing Ondo South.

Badaru emphasized that while the summit offers a valuable platform for dialogue, true progress lies in transforming ideas into concrete national defence strategies. “When you hold a summit, you hear people speak, gather perspectives, and take those insights back to review and strengthen our strategy, which is translated into action. That’s how change happens,” he said.

The Defence Minister commended the National Assembly’s effort to bring stakeholders together, calling it a “commendable move toward inclusive policy-making”. However, he stressed that talk must lead to tangible outcomes. “The National Assembly is trying to bring people together to discuss the security situation. You hear a lot. I’ve personally consulted with many past Defence Ministers and Service Chiefs to understand both past and present challenges, and how we can improve,” Badaru added.

Badaru initially expressed reservations about the summit’s effectiveness but has since made a U-turn, pledging full support for the initiative. He emphasized that sustained progress depends on designing, refining, and executing robust defence strategies, not just discussion.

The proposed National Security Summit comes amid rising insecurity in the country, with Senator Ibrahim highlighting the impact of global events, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, on Nigeria’s security. He noted that these issues have worsened food insecurity and affected the attainment of sustainable development goals.

By supporting the summit, Badaru has signalled a willingness to collaborate with the National Assembly to address Nigeria’s security challenges. The summit is expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss the security situation and develop actionable strategies to tackle the country’s growing security concerns.