The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Digital, Information Communication Technology and Cybersecurity, Hon. Adedeji Stanley Dhikrullahi Olajide, has urged stakeholders across the country to adopt a holistic approach in tackling terrorism in Nigeria.
Hon. Olajide made this appeal while speaking at the inaugural meeting of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating allegations made by a United States Congressman against the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) over alleged terrorism funding, as well as probing the activities of all Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) operating in Nigeria.
The PDP lawmaker, who is a ranking member of the House, stressed the need for a more indigenous response to the lingering security crisis, noting that local intelligence and homegrown solutions would play a critical role in countering terrorism.
According to him, “Terrorism is a global challenge that has plagued even the most powerful nations in the world. However, reliance on foreign support alone cannot solve this problem. We must look inward and establish mechanisms that are tailored to our unique security realities,” he stated.
Hon. Olajide further emphasized that while international collaboration remains crucial, the Nigerian government must develop a self-sustaining strategy to prevent external influences from dictating the country’s security architecture. He called for increased investment in intelligence gathering, community-based security initiatives and enhanced synergy between security agencies and local stakeholders.
“Our security framework must be robust enough to neutralize threats at their roots. The involvement of local communities, traditional rulers and grassroots intelligence operatives cannot be overemphasized,” he added.
The lawmaker also stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in foreign aid and NGO operations within Nigeria, stating that the ongoing investigation by the Ad-hoc Committee was crucial in ensuring that external interventions align with national security interests.
“We must ensure that every organisation operating within our borders adhere strictly to national laws and does not, under any guise, compromise our national security. The allegations made against USAID by a U.S. Congressman must be thoroughly investigated to ascertain the veracity of these claims and take appropriate actions where necessary,” he asserted.
Hon. Olajide, who represents Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, reiterated his committee’s commitment to strengthening cybersecurity policies and enhancing Nigeria’s digital infrastructure to curb the spread of extremist ideologies online and across the digital space.
