President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate preparation of a National Threat Assessment and a rolling five-year Strategic Defence Operations Plan to improve coordination among Nigeria’s defence, intelligence and security agencies.
Tinubu gave the order on Wednesday at the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, saying Nigeria needs a stronger framework to deal with its changing security threats.
According to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Tinubu also set up a nine-member committee to prepare the defence operations plan. His Special Adviser on Homeland Security, Major General Adeyinka A. Famadewa, will coordinate the committee and provide secretariat support.
Members include National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu; Defence Minister Christopher Musa; Minister of State for Defence Bello Muhammad Matawalle; Chief of Defence Staff Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff Sunday Kelvin Aneke; Chief of Naval Staff Idi Abbas; DSS Director-General Tosin Ajayi; and NIA Director-General Muhammed Muhammed.
Tinubu said the framework would create a shared understanding of Nigeria’s main security threats, operational goals and required capabilities.
He pointed to the recent rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State as proof of what better coordination can achieve.
“The operation demonstrated what can be achieved when our agencies work together with a clear objective and the necessary intelligence,” Tinubu said.
The assessment will identify key threats and their urgency, while the five-year plan will set operational priorities, capability needs, equipment gaps and an implementation timetable.
The committee can also invite other government agencies when needed.
Tinubu gave the committee 90 days to submit both documents for approval. Once approved, the plan will guide military and defence operations, spending and procurement.
The SGF and NSA were directed to ensure immediate implementation of the order.
The move comes as Nigeria continues to face terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
