The House of Representatives has begun legislative consideration of three major bills aimed at strengthening the operational capacity of the Department of State Services (DSS), with lawmakers stressing the importance of sustainable funding, enhanced intelligence training and indigenous research to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
The proposed legislations were the subject of a public hearing organised by the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence on Thursday at the National Assembly in Abuja.
Speaking during the hearing, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ahmed Satomi, said the bills are designed to improve funding, professional development and technological innovation within Nigeria’s primary domestic intelligence agency.
According to him, the hearing was convened in line with Order 12 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives and Section 88(2) of the 1999 Constitution to obtain expert contributions and stakeholder input on the proposed laws.
“The bills before us seek to strengthen funding, build professional capacity and enhance indigenous research capacity within our premier domestic security agency,” Satomi said.
He explained that the committee received memoranda and oral submissions on three separate bills: the Department of State Services Security Trust Fund Bill, the Strategic Intelligence Management Institute Bill and the Department of State Services Research and Development Bureau Bill.
Satomi noted that the three proposals are interconnected and intended to enhance intelligence operations through improved financing, specialised training and local technological advancement.
“One addresses funding, the second addresses professional training and coordination, and the third addresses indigenous capacity and technology.
“Together, they aim to position our intelligence agencies to better protect Nigerians and Nigeria’s national interest,” he stated.
The lawmaker stressed that the public hearing was aimed at refining the proposed laws and ensuring they strengthen national security while respecting constitutional rights and civil liberties.
He assured participants that all credible recommendations would be reflected in the committee’s final report to the House.
Declaring the hearing open, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, described national security as the foundation upon which economic development, social progress and democratic governance depend.
He said the proposed bills seek to address critical gaps within Nigeria’s security architecture by enhancing intelligence gathering, innovation, professional capacity and institutional resilience.
“Security is the foundation upon which every other national endeavour rests. None of this is possible where citizens live under persistent fear and uncertainty,” the Speaker said.
Tajudeen identified terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime and other transnational threats as growing challenges that require more advanced intelligence capabilities and sustained investment.
He highlighted the proposed DSS Security Trust Fund as a mechanism that would provide predictable and sustainable financing for intelligence operations.
“Intelligence operations require consistency, flexibility and the capacity to respond rapidly to evolving threats,” he said.
According to him, security personnel require modern equipment, improved logistics and adequate welfare support to perform their duties effectively.
The Speaker argued that the proposed trust fund would reduce dependence on uncertain funding arrangements and improve the operational readiness of the DSS.
On the proposed DSS Research and Development Bureau, Tajudeen emphasised the need for Nigeria to develop homegrown security solutions tailored to its unique circumstances rather than relying heavily on imported technologies.
“The changing nature of modern threats requires that we increasingly develop solutions that respond specifically to our own realities, including our geography, demographics, languages and unique security challenges,” he said.
He noted that investments in local expertise, technological innovation and evidence-based intelligence models would enable security agencies to anticipate and respond more effectively to emerging threats.
Tajudeen also endorsed the proposed Strategic Intelligence Management Institute, describing it as an important platform for training intelligence professionals and strengthening knowledge development within the sector.
“A professional institution dedicated to strengthening intelligence management, knowledge development and specialised training will contribute significantly to building a new generation of security professionals,” he said.
The Speaker urged government agencies, security institutions, civil society organisations, legal experts and academics participating in the hearing to contribute constructively to the legislative process.
He said the proposed reforms align with the 10th House’s “People First” legislative agenda, which seeks to create a safer environment where Nigerians can pursue their aspirations without fear.
The three bills currently under consideration are the Department of State Services Security Trust Fund Bill (HB.2178), the Department of State Services Research and Development Bureau Bill (HB.2716) and the Strategic Intelligence Management Institute Bill (HB.2589).
Stakeholders from government institutions, security agencies, civil society organisations and the general public attended the hearing and submitted memoranda on the proposed legislation.
