By By Elizabeth Ugbo
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday directed the immediate preparation of a National Threat Assessment and five-year Strategic Defense Operations Plan in Abuja to improve Nigeria’s security coordination. The President gave the directive during the Federal Executive Council meeting at the State House, Abuja, following recent security operations and growing threats nationwide. He tasked the Special Adviser on Homeland Security, Major General Adeyinka A. Famadewa, to coordinate the nine-member committee and provide secretariat support.
Tinubu Seeks Unified National Security Strategy
President Tinubu said Nigeria needs a clear framework to address evolving security threats.
The framework will align defense, intelligence and security operations across the country.
According to the President, agencies must share a common understanding of national security threats.
They must also agree on operational goals and the capabilities needed to achieve them.
Famadewa to Coordinate Defense Planning Committee
Major General Adeyinka A. Famadewa will coordinate the committee’s work.
He will also provide secretariat support throughout the planning process.
Other members include National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Defence Minister Christopher Musa.
Minister of State for Defense Bello Muhammad Matawalle will also serve on the committee.
The committee also includes Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede.
Other service chiefs include Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu.
Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke will also participate.
Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, the Chief of Naval Staff, is another committee member.
The Director-General of the Department of State Services, Tosin Ajayi, will also serve.
National Intelligence Agency Director-General Ambassador Muhammed Muhammed completes the committee.
President Highlights Need for Better Security Coordination
Tinubu linked the new directive to recent security successes across Nigeria.
He cited the rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
Security agencies recently rescued the victims from Oriire Local Government Area.
The President said the operation showed the value of effective inter-agency coordination.
He noted that agencies achieved better results when they worked towards a shared objective.
The operation also showed the importance of timely and accurate intelligence.
National Threat Assessment to Identify Key Risks
The National Threat Assessment will identify Nigeria’s main security threats.
It will also rank those threats according to their urgency.
In addition, the assessment will establish operational objectives for tackling each threat.
Tinubu said agencies currently consider many operational needs separately.
However, they often lack a unified national threat assessment.
They also lack a common medium-term operational framework.
As a result, coordination can become difficult and resource deployment less effective.
Five-Year Defence Plan to Address Capability Gaps
The Strategic Defence Operations Plan will turn the threat assessment into action.
It will establish clear operational priorities for Nigeria’s security forces.
The plan will identify forces and capabilities required across different theatres.
It will also highlight existing equipment and capability gaps.
Furthermore, the document will outline support requirements and an implementation timetable.
The committee may consult other ministries, departments and agencies when necessary.
Committee Given 90-Day Deadline
President Tinubu directed the committee to begin work immediately.
He gave the committee 90 days to complete its assignment.
The committee must submit both documents for the President’s consideration and approval.
Once approved, the plan will guide military and defence operations over the medium term.
It will also support better coordination among Nigeria’s defence and security agencies.
Defence Spending to Follow National Priorities
The approved plan will guide a corresponding multi-year defence expenditure strategy.
It will also support long-term equipment procurement and other security investments.
Consequently, government resources can focus on agreed national security priorities.
The approach should also reduce duplication and improve the use of available resources.
FG Moves to Implement Presidential Directive
President Tinubu directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to act immediately.
He also instructed the Office of the National Security Adviser to support implementation.
The directive aims to create a coordinated and forward-looking national security strategy.
Ultimately, the five-year plan should strengthen Nigeria’s ability to respond to emerging threats.
