Tinubu signs bill to establish Centre For Arms Control and Light Weapons

President Bola Tinubu has signed a bill to establish the National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons.

National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu announced the development during a Workshop on Gender Mainstreaming in Preventing the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Nigeria and the West African region, held on Tuesday in Abuja.

Ribadu, represented by Amb. Ibrahim Babani, Director of External Affairs at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), emphasized that the President’s signing of the bill demonstrates a strong commitment to tackling the spread of illegal arms.

The new center will enhance the government’s ability to coordinate and take decisive action against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. Ribadu highlighted the workshop’s focus on collective responsibility and the importance of addressing the impact of dangerous weapons on women and children in conflict areas.

He also noted that the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons reflects the regional commitment to managing these threats. Gender mainstreaming is a crucial component of this effort, as it strengthens security strategies and promotes an inclusive approach to managing arms proliferation.