The House of Representatives has begun consideration of three strategic bills designed to enhance the operational effectiveness of the Department of State Services (DSS), with lawmakers highlighting the importance of sustainable funding, advanced intelligence training, and indigenous technological innovation in tackling Nigeria’s evolving security threats.
The proposed legislation was the subject of a public hearing organised on Thursday by the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence at the National Assembly in Abuja.
Speaking during the hearing, the committee chairman, Hon. Ahmed Satomi, said the bills are intended to improve funding mechanisms, professional development, and research capabilities within Nigeria’s foremost domestic intelligence agency.
According to Satomi, the hearing was conducted in line with Order 12 of the House Standing Orders and Section 88(2) of the 1999 Constitution to obtain expert opinions and stakeholder contributions on the proposed laws.
“The bills before us seek to strengthen funding, build professional capacity, and enhance Indigenous research capacity within our premier domestic security agency,” Satomi said.
He disclosed that the committee received memoranda and presentations on three legislative proposals: the establishment of a DSS Trust Fund, the creation of a Strategic Intelligence Management Institute, and the establishment of a DSS Research and Development Institute.
Satomi explained that the three initiatives complement one another and are aimed at improving intelligence operations through reliable funding, specialised training, and homegrown technological advancement.
“One addresses funding, the second addresses professional training and coordination, and the third addresses indigenous capacity and technology. Together, they aim to position our intelligence agencies to better protect Nigerians and Nigeria’s national interest,” he stated.
The lawmaker noted that the public hearing was designed to strengthen the quality of the proposed legislation and encouraged participants to focus on recommendations that would improve national security while protecting civil liberties. He assured stakeholders that all credible submissions would be reflected in the committee’s report to the House.
Declaring the hearing open, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, emphasised the critical role of national security in fostering economic progress, social development, and democratic stability.
He said the three bills seek to address existing deficiencies within the country’s security framework by enhancing intelligence gathering, innovation, professional development, and institutional resilience.
“Security is the foundation upon which every other national endeavour rests. None of this is possible where citizens live under persistent fear and uncertainty,” the Speaker said.
Tajudeen identified terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime, transnational criminal activities, and other emerging threats as challenges that require more sophisticated intelligence systems and sustained investment.
He described the proposed DSS Security Trust Fund as a crucial instrument for guaranteeing stable and predictable financing for intelligence operations.
“Intelligence operations require consistency, flexibility and the capacity to respond rapidly to evolving threats,” he said, noting that security personnel need modern equipment, logistics support, and improved welfare to effectively carry out their duties.
According to the Speaker, the trust fund would reduce reliance on what he termed uncertain and often insufficient funding arrangements, thereby enhancing the agency’s readiness to respond to security challenges.
On the proposed DSS Research and Development Bureau, Tajudeen stressed the need for Nigeria to develop locally tailored security solutions rather than depending heavily on foreign technologies.
“The changing nature of modern threats requires that we increasingly develop solutions that respond specifically to our own realities, including our geography, demographics, languages and unique security challenges,” he said.
He added that greater investment in indigenous expertise, technological innovation, and evidence-driven intelligence systems would strengthen the nation’s ability to detect and prevent threats before they materialise.
The Speaker also threw his weight behind the proposed Strategic Intelligence Management Institute, describing it as an essential institution for nurturing intelligence professionals equipped to handle contemporary security challenges.
“A professional institution dedicated to strengthening intelligence management, knowledge development and specialised training will contribute significantly to building a new generation of security professionals,” he said.
Tajudeen urged representatives of government ministries, agencies, security organisations, civil society groups, legal practitioners, and academics to make meaningful contributions that would help produce legislation capable of delivering effective, accountable, and sustainable security frameworks.
He noted that the initiative is consistent with the 10th House’s “People First” legislative agenda, which seeks to create a secure environment where citizens can pursue their aspirations without fear.
The bills under consideration include the Department of State Services Security Trust Fund Bill (HB.2178), the Department of State Services Research and Development Bureau Bill (HB.2716), and the Strategic Intelligence Management Institute Bill (HB.2589).
The hearing attracted stakeholders from government institutions, security agencies, civil society organisations, and members of the public, all of whom submitted memoranda and recommendations on the proposed legislation.