President Bola Tinubu has issued a sweeping directive to Nigeria’s defence and intelligence chiefs, ordering them to produce a comprehensive national threat assessment and five‑year defence strategy within 90 days.
The move is part of efforts to overhaul Nigeria’s security architecture amid escalating violence across the country.
Speaking at a high‑level security council meeting in Abuja, Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria must transition from a reactive security posture to a proactive and preventive strategy.
He tasked the military, police, DSS, and other agencies with identifying emerging threats, assessing vulnerabilities, and outlining a roadmap for long‑term stability.
“This administration will not tolerate piecemeal responses to insecurity. We must anticipate, prepare, and neutralize threats before they destabilize our nation,” Tinubu declared.
The ultimatum comes in the wake of renewed violence in Sokoto, Benue, and Plateau States, where 58 people were killed in coordinated attacks earlier this week.
It also follows a foiled bandit assault in Sokoto’s Bodinga LGA, highlighting the persistent challenges of insurgency, banditry, and communal clashes.
Nigeria has struggled for years with fragmented security responses, often criticized as reactive and under‑resourced. Analysts say Tinubu’s directive signals a push for institutional reform and strategic foresight.
Security experts anticipate the defence strategy will include:
- Threat mapping: Identifying insurgency, banditry, cybercrime, and cross‑border terrorism risks.
- Force modernization: Upgrading equipment, training, and intelligence capabilities.
- Community engagement: Strengthening local policing and early warning systems.
- Regional cooperation: Enhancing collaboration with ECOWAS and African Union partners.
- Funding framework: Ensuring sustainable financing for defence operations.
The Defence chiefs welcomed the directive, pledging to deliver a robust plan within the timeline. While critics argue that previous administrations issued similar orders without tangible results, warning that implementation will be the real test.
However, other groups like CLEEN Foundation praised the move but urged inclusion of human rights safeguards to prevent abuses.
Dr. Amina Yusuf, a security analyst at the University of Lagos, noted: “Nigeria’s security challenges are complex and multi‑layered. A five‑year strategy is essential, but success will depend on political will, funding, and accountability.”
She added that integrating technology and intelligence‑driven operations will be critical to outmaneuvering non‑state actors.
The 90‑day deadline sets the stage for what could be Nigeria’s most ambitious security reform in decades. If delivered and implemented effectively, the strategy could reshape Nigeria’s defence posture and restore public confidence.
For communities scarred by violence, the hope is that Tinubu’s ultimatum marks the beginning of a new era of proactive security, where tragedies like Sokoto, Benue, and Plateau are prevented rather than mourned.
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