ONSA’s Controversial Move: N32 Billion Allocated for New Buildings Despite Existing Multi-Billion Naira Complex

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has allocated a staggering N31.915 billion in the 2024 budget for the construction of new buildings, merely eight months after the inauguration of a multi-billion naira complex by the previous administration.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari, in March 2023, had commissioned the current ONSA and the National Counterterrorism Centre (NCTC), emphasizing their role in addressing evolving security challenges, particularly terrorism and violent extremism.

Despite the ongoing security crisis with rising killings and kidnappings, the 2024 budget analysis reveals that N4.5 billion is earmarked for the construction of the new “ONSA House,” with an additional N25 billion for the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCCC) headquarters and N2.415 billion for the reconstruction of the ONSA liaison office in Lagos.

Civil society organizations and a security expert criticize the allocation, stating that the funds could be better utilized to empower security agencies, particularly the police, to combat the deteriorating security situation in the country.

The budget breakdown discloses N1.4 billion allocated for police arms and ammunition, raising concerns about the allocation’s balance between infrastructure development and addressing immediate security needs. The executive director of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International in Nigeria, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, questions the lack of a “needs assessment” in the budget process and emphasizes the importance of prioritizing funding for the police.

Gad Peter, Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation, echoes these concerns, stressing the necessity of focusing on equipping and empowering the police amidst the increasing incidents of kidnappings and bandit attacks.

Security sector reform expert Garba Abdullahi finds the allocation for new buildings unfortunate, urging President Bola Tinubu to review and reallocate funds to critical items.

Despite attempts to seek justification from the ONSA, the Head of Strategic Communications, Zakari Mijinyawa, remains silent, with no response to repeated calls and messages over the course of a week. The silence raises questions about the rationale behind allocating substantial funds for new buildings in the face of pressing security challenges.