President Bola Tinubu has officially signed the bill establishing the National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons. The announcement was made by National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu during a workshop focused on gender integration in preventing the spread of small arms and light weapons, held in Abuja on Tuesday.
Ribadu highlighted that this legislative move reflects the President’s dedication to tackling the issue of illegal arms proliferation. Speaking through the Director of External Affairs at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Amb. Ibrahim Babani, Ribadu explained that the bill’s passage will enhance the Center’s ability to take coordinated and decisive actions.
The workshop emphasized the need for a unified effort to stop the spread of dangerous weapons, particularly to safeguard women and children across West Africa. Ribadu also pointed out that the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons reinforces the shared responsibility within the region to address these threats.
He stressed that integrating gender considerations into arms control efforts is crucial for developing effective and inclusive security strategies.
