The Department of State Services has opposed provisions allowing foreign funding for a proposed security trust fund, warning that such arrangements could expose sensitive intelligence operations to external influence and compromise national security.
The position was presented at a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence in Abuja on Thursday.
The hearing considered three bills, including the Department of State Services Trust Fund Bill, the Strategic Intelligence Management Institute Bill, and the DSS Research and Development Institute Bill.
In its submission, the DSS expressed support for the establishment of a Trust Fund to provide sustainable financing for intelligence gathering, counterterrorism operations, personnel training and the acquisition of modern equipment.
The Service, however, recommended amendments to several provisions of the bill, particularly those relating to funding sources and governance structure.
It argued that a section permitting grants, donations and endowments from international organisations should be removed, citing concerns over sovereignty, operational confidentiality and institutional independence.
According to the DSS, foreign funding arrangements could introduce reporting obligations and external influence capable of affecting Nigeria’s security priorities.
The Service also called for clearer funding mechanisms, noting that the bill did not adequately define contributions expected from the Federal and State Governments.
On the proposed Strategic Intelligence Management Institute, the DSS cautioned that the institution could duplicate the functions of existing security training establishments unless its mandate is clearly defined.
The Service recommended that the institute be tailored towards external intelligence and international intelligence cooperation in order to complement existing structures within the country’s intelligence community.
Also speaking at the hearing, Director-General of the International Institute for Security and Governance Studies, Dr David Okoror, called for clearer funding provisions and amendments to aspects of the proposed Trust Fund Bill.
Earlier, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, represented by the House Leader, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, said the bills were designed to strengthen intelligence funding, research and professional development to address emerging security threats.
Chairman of the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Ahmed Satomi, said the proposed legislations sought to improve funding, training and indigenous research capacity within Nigeria’s intelligence architecture.
Satomi added that recommendations from stakeholders would guide further legislative consideration of the bills.
