Tinubu Orders 5-year National Security Threat Assessment, Strategic Defence Plan

_Homeland Security Adviser Famadewa to coordinate 11-man committee_

ABUJA – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the immediate preparation of a comprehensive National Threat Assessment and a rolling five-year Strategic Defence Operations Plan to strengthen coordination across Nigeria’s defence, intelligence and security capabilities.

The directive was given on Wednesday at the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting at the State House, Abuja, according to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The President appointed his Special Adviser on Homeland Security, Major General Adeyinka A. Famadewa, to coordinate and provide secretariat support for the 11-man committee tasked to draft the strategic defence operations plan.

Other members of the committee are:

– Malam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser

– General Christopher Musa, Minister of Defence

– Alhaji Bello Muhammad Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence

– General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff

– Lt. General Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff

– Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, Chief of Air Staff

– Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, Chief of Naval Staff

– Tosin Ajayi, Director-General, Department of State Service

– Ambassador Muhammed, Director-General, National Intelligence Agency

The committee may also consult or co-opt representatives of other ministries, departments and agencies where required.

President Tinubu said the new framework will provide a common understanding of the threats facing the nation, the operational objectives to be achieved, and the capabilities required to address them.

He noted that operational requirements are currently often considered individually, without sufficient reference to an agreed national threat assessment or unified medium-term plan, making coordination more difficult and limiting efficient deployment of resources.

Citing recent security successes, including the rescue of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, the President said:

“The operation demonstrated what can be achieved when our agencies work together with a clear objective and the necessary intelligence.”

According to the President, the National Threat Assessment will identify the principal threats facing the country, determine their relative urgency and establish operational objectives for addressing them.

The Strategic Defence Operations Plan will translate the assessment into clear operational priorities, identifying forces and capabilities required in each theatre, existing capability gaps, equipment and support needs, and an implementation timetable.

President Tinubu directed the committee to commence work immediately and submit the completed National Threat Assessment and Strategic Defence Operations Plan for his consideration and approval within 90 days.

Once approved, the plan will serve as the principal framework for coordinating military and defence operations over the medium term. It will also provide the basis for preparing a corresponding multi-year defence expenditure and procurement plan to ensure resources are directed towards agreed operational priorities.

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.