The Department of State Services (DSS) has called on the House of Representatives to remove clauses permitting foreign funding from a bill proposing a dedicated DSS Security Trust Fund, arguing that such funding could compromise Nigeria's national security and sovereignty.
DSS Rejects International Funding for Security Trust Fund
At a public hearing on Thursday, June 18, organized by the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, the DSS, represented by Emmanuel Duabry, endorsed the legislation overall but proposed significant amendments. The agency specifically recommended deleting provisions that would allow grants, donations, and endowments from international organizations.
Duabry stated: "Allowing foreign funding for a security-related Trust Fund raises serious concerns relating to sovereignty, operational confidentiality, and institutional independence. International funding arrangements may impose reporting and disclosure obligations capable of compromising sensitive security operations, including intelligence methods, procurement processes, and deployment strategies."
He further noted that foreign funding could introduce external influence over domestic security priorities that may not align with Nigeria's specific challenges, such as insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping. The DSS proposed that the Trust Fund should only accept contributions from local organizations.
Funding Structure and Board Composition
The DSS also argued that the current bill grants excessive discretion to the National Assembly in determining annual allocations and recommended a clearly defined funding formula or fixed percentage contribution instead.
Regarding the proposed governing board, the DSS questioned the inclusion of the Nigerian Governors' Forum, describing it as a voluntary association without statutory backing. It recommended that the Nigerian Bar Association nominate a representative with expertise in national security and human rights matters.
The agency further recommended that the Board Secretary be appointed by the President and must be a serving or retired DSS officer not below the rank of Assistant Director, who is also a legal practitioner with at least 10 years of post-call experience.
Intelligence Training Institute Concerns
The DSS raised separate concerns about a bill seeking to establish a Strategic Intelligence Management Institute, stating that it substantially overlaps with the National Institute for Security Studies established under the National Institute for Security Studies (Establishment) Act, 2019. The agency recommended that the proposed institute be redesigned to focus exclusively on external intelligence operations and international intelligence cooperation.
Despite its reservations, the DSS urged lawmakers to pass the Trust Fund bill, describing it as "a major step towards strengthening intelligence and security operations through sustainable financing."
