The Department of State Services (DSS) has rejected proposals to allow foreign organisations to fund security operations in Nigeria through a proposed Trust Fund.
The agency warned that such arrangements could undermine national sovereignty, compromise operational confidentiality and expose the country’s intelligence architecture to external influence.
The DSS made its position known at a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence on a bill seeking to establish the Department of State Services Trust Fund.
While expressing support for the overall objective of the legislation, the DSS urged lawmakers to amend key provisions relating to funding, governance and administration before its passage.
In its presentation, the DSS described the proposed Trust Fund as a significant initiative aimed at providing dedicated and sustainable financing for intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism efforts and broader national security operations.
According to the agency, the fund would facilitate the acquisition of modern operational equipment, enhance personnel training, improve response to emerging threats and reduce delays associated with conventional budgetary procedures.
The Service, however, strongly opposed provisions in the bill that would permit grants, donations and endowments from international organisations.
It argued that foreign funding of security-related activities raises serious concerns over sovereignty, institutional independence and operational secrecy.
The DSS noted that international funding arrangements often come with reporting and disclosure obligations that could expose sensitive intelligence methods, procurement activities and deployment strategies.
The agency warned that foreign donors could influence domestic security priorities in ways that may not align with Nigeria’s security realities, including insurgency, banditry and kidnapping.
It recommended that the relevant provision be amended to allow grants, donations and endowments only from local organisations and entities.
The DSS also raised concerns over the financing framework proposed in the bill, noting that it grants the National Assembly discretion to determine annual contributions to the Trust Fund, which could create uncertainty in funding.
To address this, the Service proposed the adoption of a fixed percentage or clearly defined funding formula to ensure predictability while allowing future legislative review.
The DSS also sought changes to the title of the bill and called for a review of the composition of the governing board of the proposed fund.
It recommended that the Nigerian Bar Association nominate a representative with expertise in national security and human rights and proposed that the Board Secretary be appointed by the President from serving or retired DSS officers not below the rank of Assistant Director, with at least 10 years post-call experience as a legal practitioner.
The Service further noted that the bill failed to provide procedures for the resignation or removal of board members and proposed new provisions allowing members to resign with one month’s notice and empowering the President to remove members for misconduct, gross incompetence or inability to perform official duties.
Despite the proposed amendments, the DSS urged the National Assembly to pass the bill, describing it as a vital mechanism for strengthening the operational capacity of the Service through sustainable funding.
The agency also raised concerns over the proposed Strategic Intelligence Management Institute Bill, warning that it could duplicate the functions of the National Institute for Security Studies established under the 2019 Act.
According to the DSS, both institutions would perform similar roles in providing specialised training for intelligence personnel, security officers and public officials.
To avoid overlap, the Service recommended that the proposed institute focus exclusively on external intelligence, foreign intelligence operations and international intelligence cooperation in line with the mandate of the National Intelligence Agency.
Chairman of the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Ahmed Satomi, said the three bills under consideration were designed to strengthen the operational capacity of the DSS through sustainable funding, professional intelligence training and indigenous research and technological development.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, represented by House Leader Julius Ihonvbere, said national security remains the foundation for Nigeria’s survival and development, stressing the need for sustained investment in intelligence capacity, innovation and institutional strengthening.
