DSS Opposes Foreign Funding of Security Operations, Supports Trust Fund Bill

The Department of State Services (DSS) has declined foreign funding for security operations in Nigeria. DSS announced this position yesterday in Abuja during a public hearing on two bills: 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). The hearing was organized by the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence.

DSS expressed support for the trust‑fund bill but called for clearer funding mechanisms and changes to the proposed governing board’s composition.

The service cautioned that a separate bill to create a Strategic Intelligence Management Institute could duplicate existing functions unless its mandate is redefined to focus solely on external intelligence.

Representing DSS, Emmanuel Daubry explained that the proposed trust fund is intended to provide dedicated and sustainable financing for intelligence gathering, counter‑terrorism operations, and other national security activities.

Daubry said, “The fund is designed to facilitate the acquisition of modern operational equipment, enhance training, and enable swift responses to emerging security challenges, while also minimizing 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,” he added.

Daubry warned that allowing foreign funding for a security‑related trust fund raises serious concerns about 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 said.

He added, “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.”

Daubry 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 him, “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.”

Daubry recommended amendments to Sections 17 and 18 of the bill and a revision of the explanatory memorandum to reflect the new title.