Homeland Security Office Outlines Four Priorities At Stakeholders’ Meeting
Dr. Nafisat Makinɗe, Abuja
The Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security, retired Major General Adeyinka A. Famadewa, has convened a Homeland Security Stakeholders’ Meeting to strengthen coordination among ministries, departments, agencies and security institutions as part of efforts to improve Nigeria’s homeland security framework.
According to a press statement issued by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security, the meeting, held at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in Abuja, was convened to acquaint stakeholders with the mandate and strategic priorities of the office. The statement said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to strengthening the country’s homeland security system through collaboration, intelligence sharing and coordinated action among relevant institutions.
The meeting identified four priority areas: the implementation of a unified surveillance programme to improve situational awareness, stronger identity management to reduce the use of anonymous platforms for criminal activities, enhanced border security through technology and intelligence led operations, and improved early warning, crisis reporting and emergency response mechanisms.
Famadewa said the office was established to complement existing security institutions and not replace them. He also commended the armed forces and other security agencies for their efforts in addressing insecurity and stressed the need for non kinetic measures alongside existing security operations.
The statement said participants reaffirmed their commitment to closer collaboration, noting that Nigeria’s security challenges require improved coordination, information sharing, technological innovation and institutional cooperation across government agencies and other stakeholders.
The meeting ended with an agreement to strengthen coordination mechanisms, sustain regular stakeholder engagements and develop implementation frameworks for the identified priorities. Senior officials from the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, Federal Road Safety Corps, Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience, the armed forces, relevant ministries, security and intelligence agencies, regulatory bodies and other stakeholders attended the meeting.