National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu established a 33-member panel on Thursday to evaluate Nigeria’s existing National Security Strategy and formulate an updated blueprint for tackling modern security challenges.
Ribadu charged all members of the committee to produce a comprehensive, realistic and actionable document that reflects the country’s changing security environment.
Daily Trust reports that the last review of Nigeria’s national security strategy was in 2019.
The committee is chaired by Sarkin Bello, a retired Major-General, and comprises representatives of government ministries, the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, law enforcement bodies, civil society organisations and academics.
Other institutions represented include the Defence Headquarters, the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the National Intelligence Agency, the Defence Intelligence Agency and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Speaking before the inauguration, Ribadu, who was represented by Major-General Bello (retd.), said Nigeria’s domestic, regional and global security landscape had changed significantly.
“Our national security landscape is undergoing rapid and profound transformations.
“Since the last review of our strategy in 2019, the domestic, regional and global security environments have changed dramatically, with intensity,” he said.
The NSA identified terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cyber threats, misinformation, economic challenges, food insecurity and environmental problems as some of the threats the new strategy must address.
He said the National Security Strategy 2026 would provide an overarching framework for coordinating national security, resilience and sustainable development.
Ribadu said the Office of the National Security Adviser would provide the necessary administrative, technical and logistical support to ensure the successful completion of the assignment.
What You Should Know
The federal government is overhauling its main security blueprint to address changing threats like terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and cybercrime since the last review in 2019.
- Positive Impact: A more coordinated and realistic approach could improve intelligence sharing, response times, and overall safety for citizens across the country.
- Potential Concerns: The success of the strategy depends heavily on implementation and funding, as past frameworks often faced challenges during execution on the ground.
