FG begins review of 2019 security strategy amid emerging threats

The Federal Government has begun a review of the 2019 National Security Strategy to develop a new framework that addresses emerging threats, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime, food insecurity and climate change.

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, disclosed this on Thursday during the inauguration of a committee to review the existing strategy and formulate the National Security Strategy 2026.

Ribadu, represented by Major General Sarkin Bello (retd.), said Nigeria’s security environment had changed significantly since the last review in 2019, requiring a comprehensive reassessment of the country’s security priorities.

“Our national security landscape is undergoing rapid and profound transformations. Since the last review of our strategy in 2019, the domestic, regional and global security environments have changed dramatically, with intensity,” he said.

He noted that the country was confronted with multiple security challenges that required a broader strategic response.

“As you are aware, these problems range from terrorism, banditry and kidnapping to sophisticated cyber threats, misinformation, economic problems, food insecurity and environmental challenges, among others,” Ribadu said.

He said the new strategy would serve as a framework for coordinating national security, resilience and sustainable development, adding that it must reflect current realities while anticipating future threats.

“The National Security Strategy 2026 will serve as an overarching compass for coordinating national security, resilience and sustainable development for Nigeria. It must reflect our current realities, anticipate future disruptions and directly support the realisation of our national objectives amid the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in the areas of human security, economic transformation and national cohesion,” he said.

The NSA urged members of the committee to produce a practical document capable of addressing the country’s security needs, stressing that the assignment required diligence, professionalism and patriotism.

“Engage robustly with our resource institutions and strategic stakeholders to produce a comprehensive, realistic and actionable document. Nigeria demands a strategy that is realistic and implementable,” he said.

Ribadu said the Office of the National Security Adviser would provide the necessary administrative, technical and logistical support to facilitate the committee’s work.

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In his acceptance remarks, the Deputy Chairman of the committee, Major General Evi Onumajuru (retd.), said the changing nature of security threats made a strategic realignment imperative.

He said traditional security challenges, including terrorism, insurgency and banditry, had become intertwined with non-kinetic threats such as cybercrime, economic vulnerabilities, food insecurity and climate change.

“To address these complexities, our nation requires an overarching framework that moves beyond reactive measures. The National Security Strategy 2026 must be an inclusive, forward-looking and highly actionable blueprint,” Onumajuru said.

He added that the strategy must integrate the priorities of the Renewed Hope Agenda by linking economic prosperity and good governance with human security and national defence.

Onumajuru said the committee would consult resource institutions, private sector representatives and traditional leaders to ensure that the document reflected a broad range of perspectives.

He described the timeline for the assignment as demanding, saying the committee was expected to submit its final draft to the NSA within four weeks.

“Our timeline is quite unyielding. We have exactly four weeks from today to submit our final draft copies to the National Security Adviser. So, it demands immediate, focused momentum,” he said.

The committee comprises representatives of government ministries, the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, law enforcement bodies, civil society organisations and academia.

Bello (retd.) was named chairman, while Onumajuru will serve as deputy chairman.

Other members represent the Ministries of Defence, Interior, Justice, Finance, Education and Health, as well as the Defence Headquarters, the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the National Intelligence Agency, the Defence Intelligence Agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other relevant institutions.

The committee has till November 27 to submit its report.