President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate preparation of a comprehensive National Threat Assessment and a five-year Strategic Defence Operations Plan to strengthen coordination among Nigeria’s defence, intelligence and security agencies.
The President gave the directive on Wednesday during the Federal Executive Council meeting at the State House, Abuja.
Under the directive, Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security, Major General Adeyinka Famadewa, will coordinate an 11-member committee responsible for preparing the strategic defence operations plan.
Committee Members
The committee includes the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Sunday Kelvin Aneke; and Chief of Naval Staff, Idi Abbas.
Also on the committee are the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Tosin Ajayi, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Muhammed Muhammed.
The President said the new framework was necessary to provide a common understanding of the threats facing the country, operational objectives and the capabilities required to address them.
He cited the recent rescue of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State as evidence of what could be achieved through stronger coordination among security agencies.
“The operation demonstrated what can be achieved when our agencies work together with a clear objective and the necessary intelligence,” Tinubu said.
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Plan to Guide Defence Spending
Tinubu noted that operational requirements were often considered separately without sufficient reference to an agreed national threat assessment or a unified medium-term plan.
He said the National Threat Assessment would identify the major threats facing Nigeria, determine their urgency and establish operational objectives for tackling them.
The Strategic Defence Operations Plan will translate the assessment into operational priorities, including the forces and capabilities required in different theatres, existing gaps, equipment and support needs, as well as an implementation timetable.
The committee may also consult or co-opt representatives of other ministries, departments and agencies where necessary.
90-Day Deadline
The President directed the committee to commence work immediately and submit the completed National Threat Assessment and Strategic Defence Operations Plan within 90 days.
Once approved, the plan will serve as the main framework for coordinating military and defence operations over the medium term.
It will also form the basis for a multi-year defence expenditure and procurement plan, with resources directed towards agreed operational priorities and critical national security needs.
Tinubu further directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Office of the National Security Adviser to take immediate steps to implement the directives.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.