Odita Sunday 
Defence Ministry Moves To Reclaim Ungoverned Spaces, Empowers Veterans For Security And Economic Growth
In a decisive shift toward linking national security with economic renewal, the Federal Government has inaugurated a high-powered committee to reclaim Nigeria’s ungoverned spaces and reposition military veterans as key actors in peace, stability and development.
The Honourable Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), on Tuesday inaugurated an 18-member committee on “Reclaiming Ungoverned Spaces for Economic Viability and the Repositioning of the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires and Veterans”, signalling a renewed commitment to veterans’ welfare and inclusive security architecture.
The inauguration, which took place on January 27, 2026, at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters, Ship House, Abuja, underscores government’s resolve to go beyond kinetic military operations and adopt a more sustainable, people-centred approach to tackling insecurity.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Richard Pheelangwa, the Defence Minister described the Nigerian Legion as a critical national institution with a proud legacy of service, sacrifice and patriotism.
He noted that evolving socio-economic realities demand urgent reforms to reposition the Legion for greater relevance, sustainability and impact.
According to him, the initiative forms part of a broader government policy to ensure that veterans who served the nation with honour are not abandoned after retirement, but are empowered to live dignified, productive lives while contributing meaningfully to national development.
Gen. Musa stressed the need for a strategic shift from an over-reliance on military offensives to a more comprehensive and inclusive national security framework. While acknowledging the indispensability of military operations, he maintained that lasting peace can only be achieved by addressing the socio-economic drivers of insecurity.
He outlined the committee’s three core Terms of Reference to include:
Repositioning the veteran community to support national economic development.
Deploying veterans to secure ungoverned spaces and bring them under effective oversight and development.
Repositioning the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires to strengthen operational effectiveness, facilitate veterans’ reintegration and enhance their contribution to national security.
The Defence Minister urged committee members to adopt innovative, practical and forward-looking strategies that reflect contemporary realities, adding that deliberate integration of veterans into security and development initiatives would enhance local ownership, improve intelligence gathering and rebuild trust between communities and the state.
He expressed confidence that the committee would submit actionable recommendations capable of supporting a holistic national strategy for securing Nigeria’s ungoverned spaces while promoting inclusive economic growth and sustainable peace.
Membership of the committee was drawn from the Joint Services Department of the Ministry, Nigerian Legion, Defence Headquarters, Defence Intelligence Agency, the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, as well as representatives from the offices of the Honourable Minister of Defence and the Honourable Minister of State for Defence.
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