Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has called for increased local production of arms and stricter financial monitoring to combat insecurity, terrorism and criminal activities across Nigeria.
Speaking at the Nigeria People’s Strategic Conference and Defence Exhibition 2026 in Abuja on Saturday, Kalu urged stakeholders in the defence and financial sectors to play more active roles in strengthening the country’s security architecture.
The conference, themed “Building a Modern Security Ecosystem: Integrating Private Sector Capacity into Nigeria’s National Security Architecture,” brought together participants from the defence industry, financial institutions, civil society organisations and security agencies.
Kalu said Nigeria must reduce its dependence on imported military equipment by developing a robust domestic defence industry capable of meeting the country’s security needs while creating jobs and reducing strategic vulnerabilities.
According to him, every sector represented at the conference has a critical role to play in addressing the nation’s security challenges.
He charged the defence industry to deepen local manufacturing capacity, while urging technology companies to develop platforms that support intelligence sharing and community-based early warning systems.
The Deputy Speaker also tasked financial institutions with strengthening due diligence mechanisms and transaction monitoring systems to block illicit financial flows that sustain criminal and terrorist networks.
“Every sector represented in this room must leave with a specific, measurable role in Nigeria’s security architecture. The defence industry must deepen local capacity so that we do not import what we can produce. The technology sector must offer platforms for intelligence sharing and community early warning. The financial sector must tighten the chokepoints through which criminal and terrorist financing flows,” he said.
Kalu assured that the National Assembly would continue to provide the necessary legal framework through constitutional review, appropriation of resources and legislative oversight to support national security efforts.
He also referenced the recent vote in the House of Representatives in support of the State Police constitutional amendment, describing the 289-2 vote as a demonstration of patriotism and commitment to a safer Nigeria.
“I am proud to serve in an assembly that just two days ago voted 289 to 2 in favour of a safer Nigeria. That near-unanimity was not partisan. It was patriotic,” he stated.
The Deputy Speaker dismissed claims that Nigeria was failing, insisting that the country remained resilient despite its security challenges.
“Nigeria is not failing. Nigeria is fighting. There is a difference. A failing country stops trying. Nigeria has never stopped trying. That is our heritage. That is our irreducible character,” he said.
He stressed that resilience alone would not be enough to overcome insecurity, noting that effective policies, strong institutions and coordinated action were necessary to build a security ecosystem capable of protecting lives and safeguarding national development.
Kalu expressed optimism that Nigeria would emerge stronger through collective efforts by government, security agencies, the private sector and citizens.
The conference concluded with renewed calls for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to build a modern and sustainable national security framework.
