Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, announced on Monday a new Standing Committee on Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion to promote non-kinetic strategies against insecurity.

Mr Abbas made the announcement at the opening of a two-day workshop on ‘Non-Kinetic Strategies to Combat Insecurity and Terrorism in Nigeria’, organised for security-based committees in Abuja.

He said that non-kinetic strategies, such as diplomatic dialogue, economic empowerment, psychological interventions and community-based initiatives, offered a broad and practical framework for creating sustainable peace.

According to him, the measures focus on the social, economic and political conditions that drive insecurity.

The speaker said Rwanda successfully implemented community-based reconciliation programmes to heal societal divisions, while Kenya’s economic initiatives were instrumental in reducing the appeal of extremist ideologies.

He said Nigeria had been grappling with terrorism, banditry and other forms of insecurity for many years. Mr Abbas stated that the response had relied heavily on the use of force, with significant resources devoted to military operations.

He said that billions of dollars had been spent on defence and security over the last two decades.

The speaker recalled that between 2008 and 2018, about $16 billion was allocated to defence, representing more than 10 per cent of the federal budget over that period.

He said that in 2020, the total budget for security accounted for 16.8 per cent of the total budget of $27.9 billion. Mr Abbas also said that in 2024, N3.25 trillion was allocated to the defence and security sector, representing 12 per cent of the total national budget.

“Recognising the significance of non-kinetic strategies, I am excited to announce the formation of a Standing Committee on Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion within the House of Representatives.

“This committee will develop policies and legislative frameworks to foster peace and stability. Notably, this is the first committee of its kind in Nigeria and potentially in Africa,” he said.

(NAN)