NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY (NSS)

A Strategy provides a comprehensive plan for safeguarding Nigeria’s national interests against threats like terrorism and cybersecurity. It targets security agencies, policymakers, and citizens to foster unified action and community resilience. This seeks to modernize security approaches and reduce such threats.

What Is This Policy?

The National Security Strategy (NSS) is Nigeria’s comprehensive plan for safeguarding national interests, addressing both traditional threats (terrorism, insurgency, armed conflict) and non-traditional threats (cybersecurity, climate change, economic instability).

Who Does It Target?

The NSS is directed at security agencies, policymakers, and government institutions, providing them with a unified framework for action. It also targets citizens and communities, ensuring their safety and resilience against threats.

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

The NSS aims to modernize Nigeria’s security architecture by integrating intelligence, law enforcement, military, and community-based approaches. It seeks to reduce terrorism and insurgency, strengthen border security, enhance cyber defense, and improve crisis response mechanisms.

Key Features

Counter-Terrorism Strategic Plan (2025–2030): Focused on defeating Boko Haram, ISWAP, and emerging groups. Community Safety & Resilience: Citizen-focused policing and local engagement. Cybersecurity & Digital Defense: Protecting Nigeria’s digital infrastructure. Border Security & Migration Control: Tackling smuggling, trafficking, and illegal migration. Climate & Resource Security: Addressing conflicts linked to land, water, and environmental stress.

Current Status

Rollout Stage: active Coverage: applies nationwide Beneficiaries to Date: Security agencies, communities in conflict zones, and policymakers Funding: Federal Government allocations, international donor support, and regional security partnerships.

How to Access

• Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA): https://onsa.gov.ng • National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC): https://nctc.gov.ng • National Assembly Portal: https://nass.gov.ng

Important Terms

Term 1-Counter-Terrorism Strategic Plan This is a specialized component of the NSS that focuses on defeating terrorist and insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP. It integrates intelligence gathering, military operations, law enforcement, and community resilience. The plan emphasizes not only combat operations but also deradicalization, rehabilitation, and prevention of extremist recruitment Term 2- Community Safety & Resilience This term refers to the involvement of citizens and local communities in national security. It emphasizes trust-building between security agencies and the public, grassroots policing, and community engagement. The idea is that security is not only about armed forces but also about empowering communities to prevent crime, report threats, and recover quickly from crises.

Official Resources

• Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) Website: https://onsa.gov.ng 📍 Address: Three Arms Zone, Abuja 📞 Phone: +234 (0) 9 234 0770 ✉️ Email: [email protected] • National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) Website: https://nctc.gov.ng Link to document- https://nctc.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/NSS-2019.pdf

Legal Framework

The National Security Strategy operates under the National Security Agencies Act 1986 (as amended), the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, and the 1999 Constitution (Section 14(2)(b) — security of the nation as the primary purpose of government). It aligns with the Cybercrime Act 2015, the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, and Nigeria's obligations under the UN Security Council Resolutions on counter-terrorism (UNSCR 1373, 2178, 2396) and the Sahel Security frameworks.