Department of State Services (DSS) has rejected proposals to allow foreign organisations to fund security operations in Nigeria through a proposed Trust Fund.

The secret agency warned that such arrangements could undermine national sovereignty, compromise operational confidentiality and expose the country’s intelligence architecture to external influence.

The Service made its position known yesterday at a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence on a Bill seeking to establish the Department of State Services (DSS) Trust Fund.

While expressing support for the overall objective of the legislation, the DSS urged lawmakers to amend key provisions relating to funding, governance and administration before its passage.

The hearing considered three bills, including the Department of State Services Trust Fund Bill (HB.2178), the Strategic Intelligence Management Institute Bill (HB.2589) and the DSS Research and Development Institute Bill (HB.2716).

In its presentation, the DSS described the proposed Trust Fund as a significant initiative aimed at providing dedicated and sustainable financing for intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism efforts and broader national security operations.

According to the agency, the fund would facilitate the acquisition of modern operational equipment, enhance personnel training, improve response to emerging threats and reduce delays associated with conventional budgetary procedures.

The Service, however, strongly opposed provisions in the Bill that would permit grants, donations and endowments from international organisations.

It argued that foreign funding of security-related activities raised serious concerns over sovereignty, institutional independence and operational secrecy.

Beyond the funding issue, the DSS also raised concerns over the financing framework proposed in the Bill.

The Service argued that the Bill failed to clearly define the contributions expected from the Federal Government and state governments.

To address the concern, it proposed the adoption of a fixed percentage or a clearly defined funding formula that would ensure predictability while allowing future legislative review where necessary.

The DSS also sought changes to the title of the Bill, recommending the removal of the word “Security” from the proposed name of the Trust Fund.

According to the agency, the title should simply read: “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Department of State Services Trust Fund, to Provide for its Management, Funding and Utilisation to Enhance National Security Operations; and for Related Matters.”

Chairman of the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Ahmed Satomi, said the three bills were designed to strengthen the operational capacity of the DSS through sustainable funding, professional intelligence training and indigenous research and technological development.

Satomi described the bills as complementary measures aimed at addressing key gaps in Nigeria’s intelligence architecture.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, represented by the House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, stressed that national security remains the foundation for Nigeria’s survival and development.

He noted that challenges such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime and transnational organised crime require sustained investment in intelligence capacity, innovation and institutional strengthening.