The Department of State Services has opposed a proposal to allow foreign grants and donations to fund its operations, warning that such arrangements could compromise intelligence gathering, expose sensitive operations and permit external influence over Nigeria’s security priorities.
The position was presented at a public hearing on three security-related bills before the House of Representatives, including the proposed DSS Trust Fund Bill. While supporting the establishment of a dedicated fund for intelligence activities, the secret police urged lawmakers to restrict donations exclusively to local organisations and provide clearer funding formulas for federal and state contributions.
The DSS argued that foreign funding often comes with disclosure obligations that may reveal intelligence methods, procurement processes and deployment strategies. It also sought changes to the governing board structure, proposing legal representation from the Nigerian Bar Association instead of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, called for sustained investment in intelligence gathering, research and innovation, saying terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and cybercrime require more technology-driven responses. He noted that stable funding would improve operational readiness and emergency responses.
The Service also warned that the proposed Strategic Intelligence Management Institute could duplicate the functions of the National Institute for Security Studies and recommended limiting its mandate to external intelligence and international cooperation.
Meanwhile, governors intensified consultations on the establishment of state police, insisting that any framework adopted must be constitutionally grounded, respect citizens’ rights and align with federal principles. The National Assembly is already considering constitutional amendments to move policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List.
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum said extensive consultations on governance structures, financing, personnel and oversight mechanisms had been concluded, expressing optimism that state police could become one of Nigeria’s most significant security reforms since the return to democratic rule.
