Defence Ministry Inaugurates Committees to Boost Security, Veterans Welfare
The Ministry of Defence on Wednesday inaugurated three strategic committees aimed at strengthening national security, enhancing long-term military planning, and improving the welfare of military veterans.
The committees, inaugurated at the Ship House headquarters in Abuja by the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), are expected to drive the Federal Government’s shift from policy formulation to actionable implementation in addressing key defence priorities.
The committees include the Technical Committee on Integrated Border Security System, the Defence Sector Capital Requirements Plan Committee, and the Committee on Veterans Welfare and Institutional Reform.
Musa said the initiative reflects a coordinated effort to address evolving security challenges, improve operational readiness, and ensure that retired personnel receive the recognition and support they deserve.
He noted that Nigeria’s complex land and maritime borders require a technology-driven and intelligence-led approach, tasking the border security committee to review existing frameworks and recommend integrated solutions that promote real-time information sharing and inter-agency collaboration.
On defence planning, the minister said the capital requirements committee would develop a realistic, prioritised, and costed five to ten-year investment framework aligned with national security needs and fiscal realities.
He added that the panel would assess existing infrastructure, identify capability gaps, and project future requirements in line with emerging threats and technological advancements.
Addressing veterans’ welfare, Musa said the reform committee would focus on strengthening support systems, improving access to services, and developing a standardised national dress code to enhance identity and dignity among former service personnel.
He urged members of the committees to carry out their assignments with diligence, professionalism, and a strong sense of national duty, stressing the need for transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement.
The minister said all committees have been given one month to submit comprehensive reports with clear implementation roadmaps.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, commended the minister’s leadership and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting the committees to achieve their mandates.
He urged members to approach the assignment with patriotism, describing it as a call to national service.
The inauguration marks a key step in the Federal Government’s efforts to modernise the country’s defence architecture and strengthen national resilience.
By TimesNG