The House of Representatives has commenced legislative consideration of three key bills aimed at strengthening the operational capacity of the Department of State Services (DSS), with lawmakers emphasizing the need for sustainable funding, enhanced intelligence training, and indigenous research to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
The bills were the focus of a public hearing organized by the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence on Thursday at the National Assembly, Abuja.
Speaking at the hearing, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ahmed Satomi, said the proposed legislations seek to bolster funding, professional capacity, and technological innovation within Nigeria’s premier domestic intelligence agency.
According to him, the hearing was convened pursuant to Order 12 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives and Section 88(2) of the 1999 Constitution to gather expert opinions and stakeholder input on the bills.
“The bills before us seek to strengthen funding, build professional capacity, and enhance indigenous research capacity within our premier domestic security agency,” Satomi said.
He explained that the committee received memoranda and oral submissions on three proposed laws: a bill to establish the DSS Trust Fund, another to create the Strategic Intelligence Management Institute, and a third to establish the DSS Research and Development Institute.
Satomi noted that the measures are interconnected and designed to improve intelligence operations through sustainable financing, professional training, and local technological development.
“One addresses funding, the second addresses professional training and coordination, and the third addresses indigenous capacity and technology.
Together, they aim to position our intelligence agencies to better protect Nigerians and Nigeria’s national interest,” he stated.
