Reps Advance Defence, Security, Education, Infrastructure Reforms at Wednesday Plenary
The House of Representatives has adopted key resolutions aimed at strengthening national security, promoting defence industrialisation, improving infrastructure, enhancing legislative oversight and advancing quality education across Nigeria.
The resolutions were reached during Wednesday’s plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, CFR, as lawmakers considered a broad range of legislative business covering security, mining, disaster response, parliamentary reforms and economic development.
Defence Industrialisation
The House urged the Federal Government to develop a National Drone Manufacturing Policy to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture, encourage indigenous defence technology and improve the country’s surveillance and intelligence-gathering capabilities.
National Security
Lawmakers also called on the Federal Government to provide an alternative access route into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) through the Keffi-Karu axis, saying the project would improve national security, reduce traffic congestion and enhance emergency response operations.
Mining Sector Oversight
The House mandated an investigation into the activities of the Mining Marshal Corps, focusing on budgetary allocations, project implementation, regulatory compliance and allegations of institutional compromise with a view to improving transparency, accountability and governance in the solid minerals sector.
Parliamentary Reform
As part of efforts to strengthen legislative practice, the House resolved to facilitate the implementation of recommendations from the Parliamentary Breakfast Roundtable held during the National Assembly Open Week 2026, aimed at improving public participation and legislative engagement.
Disaster Response
Lawmakers urged the Federal Government to provide immediate humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation support to communities affected by flooding in the Ikot Abasi/Mkpat Enin/Eastern Obolo and Uyo/Uran/Nsit Atai/Ibesikpo Asutan Federal Constituencies of Akwa Ibom State.
Road Infrastructure
The House further called for the urgent reconstruction of the Mutum Biyu–Garba Chede Road in Taraba State to restore connectivity, facilitate economic activities and improve the movement of people and goods.
Bills Progress
In its legislative business, the House passed four strategic bills at Third Reading, providing for the establishment of specialised institutions to strengthen agricultural and healthcare education across the country.
Lawmakers also considered seven bills at Second Reading, including legislation seeking to reform the Armed Forces through enhanced inter-agency collaboration and another bill proposing amendments to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Act to review statutory charges payable to the agency.
The bills were subsequently referred to the relevant standing committees for further legislative scrutiny.
In addition, the House received five new bills for First Reading, including the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (Amendment) Bill.
Committee Reports and Public Petitions
The House also received two public petitions from citizens seeking legislative intervention.
Lawmakers further considered reports from the Joint Committees on Commerce, Maritime Safety and Administration, as well as the Committee on Legislative Compliance, including reports on the recovery of unpaid freight levies due to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council and several other legislative proposals.
During the Committee of the Whole, members considered and adopted 11 committee reports, including the report on the bill establishing the Federal Institute of Mining and Geosciences, Ekiti.
The proceedings highlighted the House of Representatives’ continued commitment to strengthening national security, promoting indigenous industrial development, improving education, enhancing infrastructure, deepening legislative oversight and advancing people-centred legislation in the national interest.
Reps Advance Defence, Security, Education, Infrastructure Reforms at Wednesday Plenary