The Department of State Services (DSS) has thrown its weight behind a Bill seeking to establish a Trust Fund for the Service but urged the House of Representatives to amend several provisions, including the removal of foreign funding sources.

It also sought clearer funding mechanisms and changes to the proposed composition of the governing board.

The Service also cautioned that a separate Bill seeking to establish a Strategic Intelligence Management Institute could duplicate the functions of an existing institution unless its mandate is redefined to focus exclusively on external intelligence.

The positions were presented by the DSS, represented by Emmanuel Daubry, at the public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence on Thursday in Abuja.

The hearing considered three bills, including the Bill for an Act to Establish the Department of State Services Security Trust Fund (HB.2178) and the Bill for an Act to Establish the Strategic Intelligence Management Institute (HB.2589).

In its submission on the proposed DSS Trust Fund, the Service described the Bill as a significant step toward strengthening national security financing.

It explained that the proposed Trust Fund was intended to provide dedicated and sustainable funding for intelligence gathering, counterterrorism operations and other national security activities.

According to the DSS, the Fund is designed to facilitate the acquisition of modern operational equipment, improve training, enable faster responses to emerging threats and reduce delays associated with conventional budgetary processes.

The presentation stated, “The Bill for an Act to establish the Department of State Services Trust Fund proposes the creation of a dedicated DSS Security Trust Fund aimed at ensuring stable and flexible financing for intelligence gathering, counterterrorism efforts, and broader national security operations. The Fund is designed to facilitate the acquisition of modern operational equipment, enhance training, and enable swift responses to emerging security challenges, while also minimising delays often associated with conventional budgetary procedures and safeguarding the confidentiality required for sensitive activities. It is further intended to guarantee the availability of prompt funding during emergencies such as terrorism incidents, civil unrest, and other crises.”

While supporting the legislation’s overall objective, the Service recommended several amendments.

It first proposed shortening the Bill’s title by removing the word “Security,” arguing that it was unnecessary.

According to the presentation, the title should read:

“A bill for an act to establish the Department of State Services Trust Fund, to provide for its management, funding, and utilisation to enhance national security operations; and for related matters.”

The DSS also recommended consequential amendments to Sections 17 and 18 of the Bill and a revision of the explanatory memorandum to reflect the new title.

On funding, the Service expressed concern about provisions that give the National Assembly discretion to determine annual contributions to the Fund, saying this could create uncertainty in financing.

It also argued that the Bill did not clearly define contributions expected from the Federal and State Governments.

The presentation stated that a fixed percentage or clearly defined funding formula would provide greater certainty while still allowing the National Assembly to review such allocations through legislative amendments.

The DSS was particularly opposed to allowing international organisations to contribute to the proposed Trust Fund.

It argued that foreign funding could expose sensitive intelligence operations to external influence and compromise national security.

The presentation stated: “Furthermore, Section 3(d), which permits grants, donations, and endowments from international organisations, should be expunged. 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 that could compromise sensitive security operations, including intelligence methods, procurement processes, and deployment strategies. There is also a risk that foreign funding may introduce external influence over domestic security priorities, which may not always align with Nigeria’s specific security realities, including insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping.”

It consequently proposed that Section 3 be amended so that the Fund would receive grants, donations and endowments only from local organisations.

The Service also sought changes to the composition of the governing board.

It noted that the proposed board lacked mandatory legal expertise and questioned the inclusion of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, describing it as a voluntary association without statutory backing.

Instead, the DSS proposed that state representation should not be tied to the forum and recommended that the Nigerian Bar Association nominate a representative with expertise in national security and human rights.

It further recommended that the Secretary of the Board be appointed by the President and must be a serving or retired officer not below the rank of Assistant Director, who is also a legal practitioner with at least 10 years’ post-call experience.

The Service also observed that the Bill did not provide procedures for the resignation or removal of board members, including the chairman.

It therefore proposed the insertion of a new subsection allowing members to resign by giving one month’s written notice to the President and another amendment empowering the President to remove the chairman or any board member for misconduct, gross incompetence, inability to perform official duties or any other sufficient cause.

Despite the recommendations, the DSS urged lawmakers to pass the Bill.

According to the presentation, “The Bill represents a significant and commendable effort to strengthen the operational capacity of the Service through sustainable funding mechanisms. It is, therefore, in the best interest of national security that the Bill be passed into law.”

On the second Bill establishing the Strategic Intelligence Management Institute, the DSS warned that the proposal substantially overlapped with the National Institute for Security Studies established under the National Institute for Security Studies (Establishment) Act, 2019.

The Service said both institutions would perform almost identical functions by providing strategic and specialised training for intelligence and security personnel as well as public officials.

It observed that while the objectives and functions were largely similar, the proposed Institute should instead be tailored to complement the existing legal framework governing Nigeria’s intelligence agencies.

The presentation stated that the Institute should focus on external intelligence in line with the mandate of the National Intelligence Agency under the National Security Agencies Act.

According to the DSS, “The design and functions of the proposed Institute should be refocused to serve as a specialised training and capacity-building hub specifically oriented towards external intelligence, foreign intelligence operations, and international intelligence cooperation. This would ensure clear differentiation from the National Institute for Security Studies, which already provides generalised strategic security training.”

It added that such a restructuring would eliminate institutional duplication, strengthen clarity of mandates and support the National Intelligence Agency in carrying out its statutory responsibility for Nigeria’s external security and international intelligence cooperation.

Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Hon. Ahmed Satomi, said the three bills before the National Assembly are designed to strengthen the operational capacity of the Department of State Services (DSS) through sustainable funding, professional intelligence training and indigenous research and technological development.

Satomi described them as complementary measures aimed at positioning Nigeria’s premier domestic intelligence agency to respond more effectively to evolving security challenges.

According to him, the proposed legislation seeks to address three critical areas of the country’s intelligence architecture by providing sustainable funding for the DSS, improving the professionalisation of intelligence managers and building indigenous capacity in intelligence technology, cyber security and strategic analysis.

“These Bills are interlinked. 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 said.

The bills under consideration are the Department of State Services Trust Fund Bill (HB.2178), the Strategic Intelligence Management Institute Bill (HB.2589), and the DSS Research and Development Institute Bill (HB.2716).

Satomi explained that the public hearing was convened pursuant to Order 12 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives and Section 88(2) of the 1999 Constitution to obtain memoranda and expert opinions from stakeholders, security professionals, civil society organisations and members of the public before the bills are considered further.

He described public hearings as an essential part of the legislative process, stressing that effective laws must reflect the views of the people they are intended to serve.

“Legislation is not an event; it is a process. And this Public Hearing is the most democratic part of that process. The Bills before us seek to strengthen funding, build professional capacity, and enhance indigenous research capacity within our premier domestic security agency. No law made in isolation from the people it is meant to serve can stand the test of time. That is why you are here,” he said.

The committee chairman urged stakeholders to keep their submissions factual, concise and focused on improving the proposed legislation.

“I therefore instruct that all presentations must be factual, concise, and devoid of personal attacks. It is expected that contributions should focus on how these Bills will enhance national security, protect citizens’ rights, and improve service delivery, while avoiding issues outside the scope of the Bills,” he said.

He assured participants that the committee would carefully consider all credible recommendations before presenting its report to the House.

“I wish to assure you all that your inputs will be treated with the seriousness they deserve and the Committee’s final report to the House will reflect the consensus and credible recommendations that emerge from today,” he said.

Satomi also reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to transparent and inclusive lawmaking, noting that national security requires the collective efforts of both government and citizens.

“I assure all members of the public who are taking part in this Hearing Meeting that this Committee is committed to law-making that is open, transparent, and responsive. I commend you for your interest and participation. National security is too important to be left to the government alone. It requires the vigilance and partnership of all citizens,” he added.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, stressed that national security remains the most critical pillar for Nigeria’s survival and development, describing it as the foundation upon which all other sectors depend.

According to him, the hearing was particularly significant because it focused on national security, which he described as fundamental to the country’s survival and development.

The Speaker, who was represented by the House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, explained that issues of security go beyond routine governance concerns, noting that they directly affect the lives, freedoms, and aspirations of citizens.

He said no meaningful progress can be achieved in any sector, including the economy, education, healthcare and democratic governance, if citizens continue to live under persistent fear and uncertainty.

Abbas added that the 10th House of Representatives places strong emphasis on public hearings, describing them as key instruments for improving legislation through expert input and stakeholder participation.

He noted that national security challenges confronting the country require sustained investment in intelligence capacity, innovation and institutional strengthening, rather than conventional or reactive responses.

The Speaker also highlighted that modern threats such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime and transnational organised crime demand a more coordinated and technology-driven approach.

He said the three bills under consideration, aimed at strengthening funding, training and research within the Department of State Services, are part of broader efforts to reposition Nigeria’s security architecture for greater effectiveness.

Abbas maintained that predictable funding, improved intelligence training, and stronger research capacity are essential for operational readiness in security agencies.

He urged stakeholders at the hearing to make constructive contributions that would help shape the final legislative outcome, stressing that inclusive input remains central to lawmaking. (The Nation)