By Sandra Michaels
The House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence (NSI) has commenced a public hearing on three proposed bills aimed at bolstering the operational capacity of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The legislative move focuses on critical areas including enhanced funding, specialized professional training, and the promotion of indigenous research in intelligence gathering and cyber-security.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Ahmed Satomi (APC, Borno), emphasized the legislative intent behind the bills. He assured stakeholders that the Committee would meticulously examine all inputs to ensure the final report reflects credible, actionable recommendations.
“These bills are designed to fortify our intelligence architecture by addressing gaps in funding and technical expertise,” Rep. Satomi stated. “The Committee is committed to producing a robust framework that aligns with the nation’s contemporary security needs.”
Earlier, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, underscored the significance of the proposed reforms. Represented at the hearing, the Speaker maintained that sustainable funding, coupled with continuous professional development and home-grown research, remains indispensable for security personnel operating within increasingly complex threat environments.
During the session, representatives from various security agencies weighed in on the proposed legislation. While acknowledging the need for enhanced capacity, the consensus among stakeholders favored the strengthening of existing security institutions over the creation of new ones.
Several agencies recommended that specific sections of the bills be expunged or amended to avoid bureaucratic overlaps and to ensure that resources are channeled toward optimizing the current security apparatus.
The Committee is expected to aggregate these submissions as it proceeds with the legislative process.
