DSS Opposes Foreign Funding In Proposed Trust Fund Bill – THISAGE

From Victor Osula, Abuja 

The Department of State Services (DSS) has firmly opposed provisions allowing foreign donations in a proposed legislation seeking to establish a dedicated trust fund for the agency, warning that international funding could expose classified intelligence operations, compromise sensitive national security information, and create dangerous external influence over Nigeria’s internal security system.

This position was made known on Thursday during a public hearing organised by the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence in Abuja, where lawmakers considered three major security-related bills designed to strengthen intelligence funding, training, institutional research and operational capacity across Nigeria’s security architecture.

Among the bills considered were the Bill for an Act to Establish the Department of State Services Trust Fund (HB.2178), the Strategic Intelligence Management Institute Bill (HB.2589), and the DSS Research and Development Institute Bill (HB.2716).

Representing the DSS at the hearing, Emmanuel Daubry said although the Service strongly supports the creation of a trust fund as a strategic financing mechanism, allowing grants, donations and endowments from international organisations poses serious national security dangers that must be addressed before the bill is passed.

According to him, the proposed trust fund would provide the agency with stable and flexible funding needed to strengthen intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism operations and other critical national security responsibilities, while reducing dependence on conventional government budgetary allocations.

He explained that dedicated funding would improve access to modern intelligence equipment, strengthen training programmes for personnel and improve rapid response capabilities against terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, civil unrest and other emerging threats confronting the country.

However, Daubry warned lawmakers that foreign funding arrangements often come with disclosure obligations capable of exposing sensitive operational procedures, intelligence methods, procurement systems and classified security strategies.

He argued that allowing international organisations to financially support Nigeria’s domestic intelligence agency could compromise operational independence and create channels for external interference in matters affecting national security.

According to him, foreign contributors could ultimately influence domestic security priorities in ways that may not align with Nigeria’s peculiar security challenges, particularly the growing threats posed by insurgency, violent extremism, armed banditry and mass abductions across several parts of the country.

The DSS consequently urged lawmakers to amend the bill by restricting all financial contributions strictly to domestic sources and local organisations.

The agency also raised concerns over provisions empowering the National Assembly to determine annual government contributions to the proposed trust fund, warning that discretionary funding arrangements could create uncertainty and undermine long-term operational planning.

To guarantee sustainability, the DSS recommended a fixed percentage contribution formula that ensures stable financing while preserving legislative oversight.

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The Service also proposed amendments to the title of the bill, recommending the removal of the word “Security” to reflect what it described as the agency’s proper legal designation.

Daubry further proposed consequential amendments to several sections of the legislation, including revisions to the explanatory memorandum attached to the bill.

On governance, the DSS faulted aspects of the proposed board composition, arguing that the structure lacks mandatory legal representation while including the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, which it described as a non-statutory body.

The agency recommended that state representation on the governing board should not be tied to the Governors’ Forum and proposed that the Nigerian Bar Association nominate a representative with expertise in national security law and human rights. It also proposed that the board secretary be appointed directly by the President and should be either a serving or retired DSS officer not below the rank of Assistant Director with at least ten years post-call legal experience.

The agency further identified legal gaps in the proposed legislation, noting that the bill failed to provide clear procedures for resignation or removal of board members. To address this, it proposed that members should resign through one month written notice to the President, while the President should retain powers to remove the chairman or any board member for misconduct, incompetence or inability to discharge official responsibilities.

Despite its proposed amendments, the DSS urged lawmakers to proceed with passage of the bill, describing the trust fund as a critical institutional reform needed to strengthen its operational efficiency and long-term intelligence capabilities.

In a separate submission, the DSS also raised concerns over the proposed Strategic Intelligence Management Institute Bill, warning that the institution risks duplicating responsibilities already assigned to the National Institute for Security Studies established under the 2019 law.

The agency argued that both institutions appear to perform similar roles in strategic intelligence training and capacity development for security personnel and senior government officials.

To avoid duplication, the DSS recommended refocusing the proposed institute toward external intelligence training and international intelligence cooperation, arguing that such responsibilities align more closely with the mandate of the National Intelligence Agency.

The Chairman of the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Ahmed Satomi, said the three bills were designed to strengthen funding systems, improve training structures and deepen research capacity within Nigeria’s evolving security framework.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, represented by House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, said national security remains the foundation of national survival and development, stressing that emerging threats such as terrorism, cybercrime, kidnapping and banditry require sustained investment in intelligence, innovation and technology-driven security solutions.