Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has called for increased domestic arms production and stronger efforts by financial institutions to combat criminal and terrorist financing, stressing the need for a more self-reliant and resilient national security framework.
Kalu made the appeal at the Nigeria People’s Strategic Conference and Defence Exhibition 2026 in Abuja, themed “Building a Modern Security Ecosystem: Integrating Private Sector Capacity into Nigeria’s National Security Architecture.”
He said Nigeria must develop a robust local defence industry capable of producing military equipment, reducing dependence on imports, creating jobs, and strengthening national security.
“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,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker also urged the technology sector to develop intelligence-sharing platforms and community-based early warning systems, while calling on financial institutions to tighten monitoring mechanisms to block illicit financial flows.
“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 stated.
Kalu noted that civil society organisations also have a vital role in promoting trust between communities and government, which he described as essential for lasting peace and security.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the National Assembly to supporting security reforms through legislation, constitutional amendments, budgetary provisions, and oversight functions.
“And the legislature, we will continue to provide the legal scaffolding on which all of this is built. We will continue to review the constitution where it needs reviewing. We will appropriate resources where resources are needed,” he said.
Referring to the recent House vote in favour of the proposed State Police constitutional amendment, Kalu described the outcome as a patriotic decision aimed at improving security across the country.
“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 said.
Rejecting claims that Nigeria is failing, Kalu argued that the country has continued to demonstrate resilience despite numerous 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, however, stressed that resilience alone is insufficient, noting that effective policies, strong institutions, and broad collaboration are necessary to build a security system capable of protecting lives and supporting national development.
The conference brought together stakeholders from the defence industry, financial institutions, civil society organisations, and security agencies to explore strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture through enhanced collaboration.
