The Federal Government has launched a review of Nigeria’s 2019 National Security Strategy to develop a new security framework capable of tackling evolving threats, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime, food insecurity and climate change.
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, announced the initiative on Thursday during the inauguration of a committee tasked with reviewing the existing document and preparing the National Security Strategy 2026.
Ribadu, who was represented by retired Major General Sarkin Bello, said changes in Nigeria’s domestic, regional and international security environments since 2019 had made a comprehensive reassessment of the country’s security priorities necessary.
“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 explained that the country faced a combination of conventional and emerging threats that demanded a coordinated and broader approach to national security.
“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.
According to him, the proposed strategy would provide an overarching framework for strengthening national security, resilience and sustainable development while addressing present challenges and preparing for future disruptions.
The NSA said the document must also support the objectives of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in human security, economic transformation and national cohesion.
“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.
Ribadu charged committee members to develop a workable and comprehensive policy document, emphasising the need for professionalism, patriotism and careful execution of the assignment.
He also urged them to engage relevant institutions and stakeholders throughout the review process.
“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.
He assured the committee that the Office of the National Security Adviser would provide administrative, technical and logistical assistance to support its work.
In his acceptance remarks, the committee’s Deputy Chairman, retired Major General Evi Onumajuru, said the changing character of security threats required Nigeria to realign its national security priorities.
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Onumajuru noted that conventional threats, including terrorism, insurgency and banditry, increasingly intersected with challenges such as cybercrime, economic vulnerabilities, food insecurity and climate change.
He said the country needed a strategic framework that went beyond responding to incidents after they occurred.
“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 new policy should connect economic growth and effective governance with human security and national defence while incorporating the priorities of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Onumajuru said the committee would consult relevant institutions, private sector representatives and traditional leaders to ensure the strategy reflected diverse perspectives and national interests.
He acknowledged the tight schedule for completing the assignment, disclosing that the committee had four weeks to submit its final draft to the NSA.
“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 federal ministries, the Armed Forces, intelligence services, law enforcement agencies, civil society organisations and academic institutions.
Bello was appointed chairman, while Onumajuru will serve as deputy chairman.
Other members are drawn from the Ministries of Defence, Interior, Justice, Finance, Education and Health, alongside the Defence Headquarters, the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force and Nigeria Police Force.
The Department of State Services, National Intelligence Agency, Defence Intelligence Agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other relevant institutions are also represented on the committee.
The committee is expected to submit its report by November 27.