As Nigeria continues to confront terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other evolving security threats, efforts to strengthen the nation’s security framework have gained momentum through proposed legislative reforms, enhanced intelligence funding mechanisms and renewed advocacy for state police.
At a public hearing held by the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence, the Department of State Services (DSS) expressed support for a bill aimed at improving its funding structure but firmly opposed provisions allowing foreign funding of its operations.
One of the key pieces of legislation under consideration seeks to establish a Trust Fund for the DSS. While the service welcomed the initiative as a means of ensuring stable and flexible financing, it rejected clauses permitting grants, donations and endowments from international organisations.
The DSS argued that accepting foreign funding could compromise operational secrecy and expose sensitive intelligence activities to external influence. According to the agency, international funding arrangements often come with disclosure requirements that could reveal intelligence methods, procurement processes and deployment strategies. It also warned that foreign donors might attempt to shape Nigeria’s security priorities in ways that do not reflect local realities, particularly the challenges of insurgency, banditry and kidnapping.
Meanwhile, governors of the 36 states have intensified discussions on the proposed establishment of state police, emphasising that any framework adopted must be constitutionally grounded, safeguard citizens’ rights and conform to federal principles.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, also advocated increased investment in intelligence gathering, innovation, research and professional development, stressing that Nigeria’s security challenges require solutions beyond conventional approaches.
The hearing focused on three proposed bills designed to boost the operational capacity of the DSS. These include the Department of State Services Trust Fund Bill, the Strategic Intelligence Management Institute Bill and the DSS Research and Development Institute Bill.
Representing the DSS, Emmanuel Daubry described the proposed Trust Fund as a critical mechanism for ensuring consistent financing of intelligence operations, counter-terrorism efforts and other national security responsibilities. He said the fund would support the acquisition of modern equipment, personnel training and rapid response capabilities and reduce delays associated with traditional budgetary processes.
The Service further noted that the fund would provide emergency financing during crises such as terrorist attacks, civil disturbances and other security emergencies.
While backing the bill’s overall objectives, the DSS recommended several amendments. It proposed limiting donations and grants strictly to local organisations and called for greater clarity regarding funding arrangements. The agency expressed concern that the bill grants the National Assembly broad discretion in determining annual contributions without clearly defining funding formulas for the federal and state governments.
According to the DSS, fixed percentages or clearly outlined contribution formulas would guarantee more predictable and sustainable funding.
The agency also sought changes to the composition of the Trust Fund’s governing board. It argued that legal expertise should be a mandatory requirement and questioned the inclusion of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), noting that the forum is not a statutory body but a voluntary association.
Instead, the DSS suggested that the Nigerian Bar Association nominate a representative with expertise in national security and human rights. It also recommended that the board secretary be appointed by the President and be a serving or retired DSS officer not below the rank of Assistant Director, as well as a legal practitioner with at least 10 years' post-call experience.
To improve accountability, the Service proposed provisions allowing board members to resign through written notice to the President and empowering the President to remove members on grounds of misconduct, incompetence or inability to perform their duties.
Despite its reservations, the DSS urged lawmakers to approve the bill, describing it as an important step toward strengthening the agency’s operational effectiveness through sustainable funding.
The Service also raised concerns about the proposed Strategic Intelligence Management Institute, warning that it could duplicate the functions of the National Institute for Security Studies established under the National Institute for Security Studies Act, 2019.
According to the DSS, both institutions would offer similar strategic and specialised intelligence training for personnel and public officials. To avoid overlap, the agency recommended redesigning the proposed institute to focus solely on external intelligence, foreign intelligence operations and international intelligence cooperation in support of the National Intelligence Agency.
Speaking at the hearing, Tajudeen emphasised that security remains the bedrock of national development.
Represented by House Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, the Speaker noted that terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime and transnational organised crime continue to challenge Nigeria’s institutions and require more coordinated, technology-driven responses.
He said intelligence operations require dependable funding, swift response mechanisms and modern operational resources, adding that the proposed Trust Fund would provide a more sustainable alternative to existing funding arrangements.
“We cannot continue to demand exceptional commitment from our troops without first ensuring that they have the tools and support they need to succeed,” he said.
Tajudeen also underscored the importance of indigenous research and technological innovation, arguing that Nigeria must increasingly develop solutions tailored to its unique geography, demographics, languages and security environment.
He described the proposed DSS Research and Development Bureau as a significant step toward building an intelligence system capable of anticipating threats rather than merely responding to them.
At the same time, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum continued consultations on the establishment of state police, receiving briefings from state Attorneys-General on constitutional amendments and operational frameworks required for implementation.
Reading the communiqué issued after the governors’ meeting in Abuja, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun said the governors stressed the importance of ensuring that state police are firmly rooted in constitutional provisions and democratic principles while protecting citizens’ rights.
The National Assembly has already begun work on amending the 1999 Constitution to move policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List, a change that would pave the way for state police formations.
The governors’ communiqué stated: “The forum received a presentation from the NGF Secretariat and a delegation of the Honourable Attorneys-General of the states on efforts to support establishing State Police in Nigeria.”
The governors noted that extensive consultations had been conducted to review proposed constitutional amendments and operational frameworks. They expressed confidence that the outcomes would strengthen the states’ collective position as Nigeria advances toward one of its most significant security reforms since the return to democratic rule.
The governors had previously endorsed a state police framework developed by the NGF Secretariat, covering governance structures, financing models, human resource requirements, digital infrastructure and oversight mechanisms.