The Nigerian House of Representatives has opened consideration of a bill that seeks to force all citizens to honour security forces for their service to the nation.

The bill proposed every November as the appreciation month of all security agents, especially those serving in the Nigerian armed forces, police, Civil Defence, foreign and domestic intelligence and other military and paramilitary services.

The proposal was submitted by Bamidele Salam (PDP-Osun) and was heard at a House session on Monday. Submissions for the bill will close today, according to parliamentary sources familiar with rules and business.

“The people of the nation shall be encouraged to recognise and honour the dedication and commitment of officers of Nigerian Security Agencies and to observe the month with appropriate ceremonies and activities,” a section of the bill said. “The month of November shall therefore be designated annually as the National Appreciation for the Security Agencies Month.”

The law also said Nigerian private businesses shall be compelled to sell products at discounted rates to security forces, their spouses and other dependants. 

“In honour and appreciation of the services of Nigerian Security Agencies to the nation, the private sector shall provide for a programme under which special benefits are provided to officers of Nigerian Security Agencies,” the bill said.

The proposed law said only serving officers, their spouses and other dependants will qualify for special benefits.

The special benefits may run throughout the year or only in the dedicated month, it said.

Private organisations are also required to keep detailed information of security agents and their dependents who receive special benefits under the proposed law. The law also has provisions for the citizens to give donations to security agents. 

An agency will also be established that will oversee implementation of the policy. Members of the agency’s board, which will be chaired by the defence minister, will include security and intelligence chiefs, the bill said.

If passed, the bill will force Nigerians to honour members of the security forces who have long been derided for their open brutality and corruption. It was unclear how the bill would operate simultaneously with existing armed forces appreciation weeks that usually run alongside the annual remembrance ceremonies. A parliamentary spokesman did not return a request seeking comments.