The UK Government-funded Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) Programme has commended the National Security Roundtable held during NASS Open Week 2026, describing it as a significant step towards strengthening Nigeria’s security framework and promoting locally led peacebuilding.
The Roundtable brought together top security leadership and relevant National Assembly Committees to take stock of the country’s security situation.
The dialogue identified vital legislative and budgetary support needed by security agencies, alongside critical discussions to advance the reform agenda, particularly state policing within the constitutional review process.
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Speaking on the significance of the roundtable, Head of Development Cooperation at the British High Commission Abuja, Ms Cynthia Rowe, stated: “Sustainable security requires strong, accountable institutions that are responsive to the needs of the people.
“The UK Government remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s legislative frameworks to ensure that security interventions are transparent, well-resourced, and firmly rooted in respect for human rights. This roundtable is a commendable step towards codifying reforms that will protect vulnerable communities and foster long-term stability,” Ms Rowe said.
She noted that the roundtable’s discussion areas perfectly align with the SPRiNG Programme’s Security Sector Reform objectives and address pressing issues such as banditry, kidnapping, and farmer-herder conflicts.
She called for the exploration of the critical need for inter-agency collaboration, technology and innovation in security operations, and 21st-century community engagement.
Similarly, the Team Leader of the SPRiNG Programme, Ukoha Ukiwo, emphasised the programmatic importance of the legislative convening.
“Our work across our state compacts has continually highlighted that operational peacebuilding must be backed by robust legal frameworks. The focus of this roundtable on state policing, security funding, and accountability is incredibly timely. By bridging the gap between grassroots realities and legislative action, we can ensure that informal and formal security architectures work cohesively to build formidable resilience in communities across Nigeria. The SPRiNG Programme stands ready to support follow-up engagements with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the resolutions translated from this dialogue are actively implemented, Ukiwo said.
The high-level event featured special remarks from key security stakeholders.
