House moves to reform National Assembly security leadership
The House of Representatives has passed a bill to overhaul the National Assembly’s internal security framework. The legislation aims to professionalise the office of the Sergeant-at-Arms and ensure its leadership comes from within the parliamentary service. Supporters believe this will strengthen institutional memory and improve operational efficiency. The bill also introduces new eligibility criteria and privileges for the security directorate.
What we know
- The bill mandates that the Sergeant-at-Arms must be appointed from serving National Assembly personnel, not external or retired military officers.
- Only officers with at least 15 years of service, a minimum rank of Assistant Director, and a clean disciplinary record are eligible for the role.
- The office of the Sergeant-at-Arms will become a full directorate with privileges equal to other directorates in the National Assembly.
- The legislation allows the Sergeant-at-Arms to carry arms within the National Assembly complex, subject to presidential approval and strict usage conditions.
- The bill was sponsored by Akintunde Rotimi and will proceed to the Senate for concurrence before potentially being sent to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
