President Bola Tinubu has officially signed the bill for the establishment of the National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, marking a significant step towards addressing the proliferation of illegal arms in Nigeria.
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, announced this development during a Workshop on Gender Mainstreaming in Preventing the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Nigeria and the West African Sub-region, held on Tuesday in Abuja.
Ribadu, represented by Amb. Ibrahim Babani, the Director of External Affairs at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), highlighted that the bill’s signing reflects the President’s strong commitment to curbing the illegal flow of arms in the country. The move will further empower the Centre with the necessary legal framework to take coordinated and decisive action.
Ribadu also emphasized the importance of the workshop, noting its role in reinforcing collective efforts to prevent the spread of dangerous weapons, particularly in regions where women and children are disproportionately affected by conflict. He underscored the necessity of integrating gender considerations into strategies aimed at preventing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW), stating that this approach ensures a more inclusive and sustainable response to security challenges.
“Moreover, the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons underscores the collective responsibility of our region in curbing the spread of these dangerous weapons, which disproportionately affect women and children in conflict zones,” Ribadu stated.
He added that mainstreaming gender perspectives in security strategies strengthens preventive measures, ensuring that the fight against illegal arms is both comprehensive and enduring.
