Tinubu Orders Five-Year National Security Threat Assessment, Defence Plan

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate preparation of a comprehensive National Threat Assessment and a rolling 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, stressing the need for a coordinated framework capable of responding effectively to evolving security threats across the country.

Tinubu appointed his Special Adviser on Homeland Security, Major General Adeyinka A. Famadewa, to coordinate and provide secretariat support to a nine-member committee saddled with the responsibility of developing the strategic defence operations plan.

Members of the committee include the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle; Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas.

The Director-General of the Department of State Services, Tosin Ajayi, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Muhammed Muhammed, are also members.

According to the President, the National Threat Assessment will establish a common understanding of the principal security threats confronting the country, rank them according to urgency and set clear operational objectives for addressing them.

He said the Strategic Defence Operations Plan would translate the assessment into specific operational priorities, including the forces and capabilities required across various theatres, existing capability gaps, equipment and support requirements, as well as a clear implementation timetable.

Tinubu cited recent security successes, including the rescue of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as evidence of what could be achieved through stronger collaboration among defence, intelligence and security agencies.

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

He observed that operational requirements were often considered separately without sufficient reference to an agreed national threat assessment or unified medium-term strategy. According to him, this has made coordination more difficult and limited the efficient deployment of available resources.

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

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

Once approved, the plan will serve as the principal framework for coordinating military and defence operations over the medium term.

It will also form the basis for a corresponding multi-year defence expenditure and procurement plan, ensuring that government resources are channelled towards agreed operational priorities and critical national security requirements.

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 implement the directives immediately.