The Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security, Major General Adeyinka T. Famadewa (Rtd), has convened the inaugural Homeland Security Stakeholders’ Meeting, with a call for stronger inter-agency collaboration and the implementation of a unified security framework to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
According to an official statement 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, brought together heads and representatives of key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), security institutions and other critical stakeholders.
Addressing participants, Famadewa said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to building a secure, resilient and technology-driven homeland security system capable of responding effectively to both existing and emerging threats.
He said achieving that vision would require sustained collaboration, intelligence sharing and coordinated action among government institutions responsible for national security.
The meeting also introduced stakeholders to the mandate of the Office of the Special Adviser on Homeland Security and outlined its strategic priorities, which include the implementation of a Unified Surveillance Programme to improve nationwide situational awareness.
Other priorities discussed included strengthening identity management to reduce the use of anonymous platforms for criminal activities, improving border security through enhanced coordination, technology deployment and intelligence-led operations, and establishing more effective early warning, crisis reporting and emergency response systems.
Famadewa stressed that his office is designed to complement, rather than duplicate, the responsibilities of existing security agencies. He commended the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies for their sacrifices in protecting the country while emphasising that non-kinetic measures remain essential for building resilient communities.
Participants exchanged views on the proposed initiatives and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration, information sharing and institutional coordination in tackling complex security threats.
The stakeholders agreed that addressing contemporary security challenges requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach supported by technology, innovation and sustained inter-agency cooperation.
The meeting ended with a resolution to establish effective coordination mechanisms, maintain regular stakeholder engagements and develop practical implementation frameworks to advance the agreed priorities and enhance national security.
Among those in attendance were the Permanent Secretary, Special Services Office, the Comptroller-General of Customs, the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Director-General of the Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience, alongside representatives of the Armed Forces, security and intelligence agencies, regulatory bodies and other relevant stakeholders.
