President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the immediate preparation of a comprehensive National Security Threat Assessment and a rolling five-year Strategic Defence Operations Plan to strengthen Nigeria’s response to evolving security threats.
The President gave the directive at the Federal Executive Council meeting held at the State House, Abuja, on Wednesday.
Under the directive, a nine-member committee has been constituted to develop the strategic defence framework, with the Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security, Major General Adeyinka A. Famadewa, serving as coordinator and providing secretariat support.
Members of the committee include the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa; Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle; Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas; Director-General of the Department of State Services, Tosin Ajayi; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Muhammed Muhammed.
According to the President, the framework is expected to provide a common understanding of the threats confronting the country, define operational objectives and determine the capabilities required to address them.
Tinubu said recent security successes, including the rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, demonstrated the importance of effective coordination among defence, intelligence and security agencies.
“The operation demonstrated what can be achieved when our agencies work together with a clear objective and the necessary intelligence,” the President stated.
He observed that operational requirements were often considered individually without sufficient reference to an agreed national threat assessment or unified medium-term plan. This, he said, could make coordination more difficult and limit the efficient deployment of national security resources.
The National Security Threat Assessment will identify the principal threats facing Nigeria, determine their relative urgency and establish operational objectives for addressing them.
The Strategic Defence Operations Plan will subsequently translate the assessment into clear operational priorities, including the forces and capabilities required across various theatres, existing capability gaps, equipment and support requirements, as well as an implementation timetable.
The committee may also consult or co-opt representatives of other ministries, departments and agencies where their participation is considered necessary.
President Tinubu directed the committee to commence work immediately and submit the completed National Threat Assessment and Strategic Defence Operations Plan for his consideration and approval within 90 days.
Once approved, the plan is expected to serve as the principal framework for coordinating military and defence operations over the medium term.
It will also provide the basis for a corresponding multi-year defence expenditure and procurement plan, ensuring that available resources are aligned with agreed operational priorities and critical national security requirements.
The President further directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Office of the National Security Adviser to take all necessary steps to give immediate effect to the directives.
