The Department of State Services (DSS) has opposed proposals that would allow foreign organisations to fund its operations, warning that such arrangements could compromise Nigeria’s national security and expose sensitive intelligence activities to external influence.
The position was presented during a public hearing on a bill before the House of Representatives seeking to establish a sustainable funding framework for the country’s secret police. While expressing support for the overall objective of the proposed legislation, the DSS urged lawmakers to amend several provisions before its passage.
The Service argued that accepting grants, donations or endowments from international organisations could create security risks, as foreign funding often comes with reporting and disclosure requirements that may inadvertently expose intelligence operations, procurement processes and deployment strategies.
According to the DSS, any funding mechanism established for the agency should protect operational confidentiality, safeguard national interests and comply with constitutional provisions governing security institutions.
The proposed legislation is aimed at creating a dedicated funding structure to enhance the operational capacity of the Service through improved financing outside the traditional annual budgetary process.
If enacted, the fund is expected to support the acquisition of modern intelligence and surveillance equipment, improve personnel training, strengthen operational readiness and provide rapid financial support during national emergencies, including terrorist attacks, civil unrest and other security-related crises.
The DSS maintained that a dedicated funding arrangement would improve its ability to respond swiftly to emerging security threats while reducing delays associated with conventional budget releases.
Beyond its objection to foreign funding, the agency also recommended changes to the governance structure of the proposed fund.
The Service questioned the inclusion of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on the board overseeing the fund, arguing that the forum is a voluntary association rather than a statutory institution. It instead proposed that the Nigerian Bar Association nominate a representative with expertise in national security and human rights to serve on the board.
The DSS further recommended that the board secretary should be appointed by the President and be a serving or retired officer of the Service, not below the rank of Assistant Director, who is also a qualified legal practitioner with at least 10 years of post-call experience.
To strengthen transparency and accountability, the agency proposed provisions allowing board members to resign through written notice to the President, while also empowering the President to remove any member found guilty of misconduct, incompetence or inability to perform assigned responsibilities.
Despite its reservations over some aspects of the bill, the DSS reaffirmed its support for the establishment of a sustainable funding framework, describing the initiative as an important step toward enhancing the operational effectiveness of the nation’s intelligence service and improving its capacity to address evolving security challenges across the country.
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