President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate preparation of a comprehensive National Threat Assessment and a rolling five-year Strategic Defence Operations Plan to strengthen Nigeria’s response to evolving security challenges.
The initiative is aimed at improving coordination among the country’s defence, intelligence and security agencies while ensuring that available capabilities are effectively deployed to address threats across the country, according to a statement issued by the Presidential Spokesperson, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, in Abuja.
Tinubu gave the directive during the Federal Executive Council meeting at the State House, Abuja, stressing the need for a coherent national framework for addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
The President’s Special Adviser on Homeland Security, Maj.-Gen. Adeyinka Famadewa, will coordinate the 11-member committee responsible for preparing the Strategic Defence Operations Plan and provide secretariat support.
Members of the committee include the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa; and Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Muhammad Matawalle.
Others are the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas.
The Director-General of the Department of State Services, Tosin Ajayi, and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Muhammed Muhammed, are also members of the committee.
Tinubu said the proposed framework would establish a common understanding of the threats confronting Nigeria, define operational objectives and identify the capabilities required to address them.
He cited recent security successes, including the rescue of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as evidence of what could be achieved through stronger inter-agency cooperation.
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According to the President, the operation demonstrated the importance of intelligence sharing and coordinated action among security agencies.
He said the government must build on such successes by improving coordination and ensuring that security capabilities are directed towards clearly defined national objectives.
Tinubu noted that operational requirements were often considered individually without sufficient reference to a common national threat assessment or a unified medium-term strategy.
He said such an approach could make coordination more difficult, weaken strategic planning and limit the efficient deployment of resources across different security theatres.
The President directed that the National Threat Assessment should identify the principal threats facing Nigeria, determine their relative urgency and establish operational objectives for tackling them.
He said the Strategic Defence Operations Plan would translate the assessment into specific priorities, including the forces and capabilities required in each theatre, existing gaps, equipment and support requirements, as well as an implementation timetable.
Tinubu also authorized the committee to consult or co-opt representatives of other ministries, departments and agencies where their expertise or participation is required.
The committee is expected to commence work immediately and submit the completed National Threat Assessment and Strategic Defence Operations Plan to the President for consideration and approval within 90 days.
Tinubu said that once approved, the plan would serve as the principal framework for coordinating military and defence operations over the medium term.
He added that it would provide the basis for a corresponding multi-year defence expenditure and procurement plan, ensuring that government resources are directed towards 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.
NAN
