Abuja, Aug. 19, 2026
President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate preparation of a comprehensive National Threat Assessment and a rolling five-year Strategic Defence Operations Plan.
The President gave the directive on Wednesday during the Federal Executive Council meeting at the State House, Abuja, according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser.
Tinubu said the initiative would strengthen coordination among Nigeria’s defence, intelligence and security agencies while providing a coherent response to evolving national security threats.
He appointed his Special Adviser on Homeland Security, Maj.-Gen. Adeyinka Famadewa, to coordinate and provide secretariat support for the 11-member committee.
Members include National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Defence Minister Christopher Musa and Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle.
Others are the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas; DSS Director-General Tosin Ajayi; and NIA Director-General Muhammed Muhammed are also committee members.
Tinubu said the new framework would establish a common understanding of national threats, operational objectives and capabilities required to address them effectively.
He cited the recent rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State as evidence of the importance of improved inter-agency coordination.
“The operation demonstrated what can be achieved when our agencies work together with a clear objective and necessary intelligence,” Tinubu said.
According to him, operational requirements are often considered separately, without sufficient reference to an agreed national threat assessment or unified medium-term strategy.
He said such an approach complicated coordination and limited efficient deployment of resources needed to address emerging security challenges.
The National Threat Assessment will identify principal threats, determine their urgency and establish operational objectives for addressing them, the President said.
He added that the Strategic Defence Operations Plan would translate the assessment into operational priorities for different theatres across the country.
The plan will also identify required forces and capabilities, existing gaps, equipment and support needs, alongside a clear implementation timetable.
Tinubu authorised the committee to consult or co-opt representatives of other ministries, departments and agencies where their participation becomes necessary.
He directed the committee to commence work immediately and submit both documents for his consideration and approval within 90 days.
Once approved, the plan will become the principal framework for coordinating military and defence operations over the medium term.
It will also guide the preparation of a multi-year defence expenditure and procurement plan aligned with national security priorities.
The President further directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Office of the National Security Adviser to implement the directives immediately.
The statement was signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on August 19, 2026.
