Speaker of The House of Representatives Delivers Strategic Security Lecture to Participants of The Royal College of Defence Studies and National Defence College In Abuja
The Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, on Tuesday, 13 May 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), Nigeria, in Abuja.
Delivering the lecture titled “National Security and Resilience: Strategic Imperatives for a Secure Nigeria,” the Speaker emphasised the importance of strategic alliances, inter-agency cooperation, and international partnerships in combating the growing complexities of global and regional security threats. He urged defence stakeholders to foster innovative strategies, leveraging intelligence sharing, joint training, and technological advancement to mitigate security challenges.
Rt. Hon. Abbas noted that the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has enacted forward-looking policies aimed at enhancing national security, strengthening institutions, and fostering economic stability. He highlighted food security as a critical pillar of national resilience, noting its centrality to the overall security architecture of the country. The Speaker also drew attention to the dual-edged nature of cyberspace, lamenting its exploitation by criminal networks. He underscored the government’s commitment to developing a robust national cyber defence framework, supported by strategic international cooperation, legislation, and public-private partnerships. “Cyber awareness initiatives and inclusive security education are vital to safeguarding our national digital assets and building public confidence,” he remarked. He further emphasised the rising importance of environmental and energy security as part of Nigeria’s strategic security priorities. ^Collaborations with the private sector are being explored to bolster infrastructure protection and sustainable energy development,” he said.
In his analysis of Nigeria’s current security landscape, the Speaker identified key challenges such as insurgency in the North-East, banditry and kidnapping in the North West, farmer-herder conflicts in the North Central zone, oil theft in the South-South, and separatist-related activities in the South East. He assured that the Federal Government is taking decisive steps to neutralise these threats through coordinated security operations, community engagement, and sustainable development initiatives.
Earlier, Rear Admiral Steve Dainton (rtd), leader of the RCDS delegation, stated that their visit was part of a strategic tour of West African nations aimed at deepening mutual understanding and enhancing curriculum synergy between RCDS and NDC Nigeria. He commended the NDC for its professionalism and strategic insight, noting that the interactions have enriched their understanding of Nigeria’s security dynamics and defence education model.
In his welcome remarks, the Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu, thanked the Speaker for honouring the College with his presence and for his ongoing support of the institution. Admiral Olotu reiterated NDC’s commitment to fostering international defence cooperation, strategic policy discourse, and leadership development. He highlighted the College’s legacy in training elite officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces and allied nations since its inception in 1992. The event was attended by members and principal officers of the House of Representatives, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, the British Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Brigadier General Thomas, and other distinguished guests.
