NSA supports plan to create Intelligence Management Institute

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has backed a Bill aiming to set up the Strategic Intelligence Management Institute (SIMI). He called the proposed institute an important tool for improving intelligence-led governance, policy making, and management in Nigeria.

Mr Ribadu said the bill is now with the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence. He believes it marks a key step in boosting Nigeria's security efforts as global challenges grow more complex.

He added that the new institute would help Nigeria handle changes in the global landscape. It will strengthen the nation’s intelligence operations and improve how intelligence is used in government.

The main goal of SIMI, he explained, is to create a new group of technocrats and public leaders. These leaders will understand how intelligence plays a role in national growth. They will also learn how to use intelligence for effective public policies.

While speaking at a public hearing on the bill at the National Assembly on Thursday, Mr Ribadu, represented by Commodore Bamidele, said the bill tackles serious weaknesses in Nigeria’s defense and security systems.

He mentioned that the institute would bring together senior military officers, paramilitary groups, intelligence agencies, and important civilian ministries. This shared learning environment would help them gain skills to turn intelligence assessments into practical policies.

“This initiative seeks to close the gap between intelligence gathering and strategic decision-making,” he said. “We want intelligence to be a lasting tool for governance and national progress.”

Mr Ribadu also pointed out that passing the SIMI Bill should not be seen just as expanding institutions. It is a key step in protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty.

“The establishment of SIMI is a must,” he said. “It will give the country skilled leaders who can predict and tackle new threats, secure our borders, protect our interests, and help maintain stability in West Africa.”

In her talk, Jadesola Adesuyi, who is the provost of SIMI and a graduate of the National Institute, described SIMI as a modern institution. It aims to get leaders ready for the challenges of a changing world.

“SIMI is about staying ahead,” she said. “It is about building the ability to predict rather than just react; to influence events instead of only responding to them.”

When asked if the institute might repeat the work of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS), Ms Adesuyi highlighted that both institutions have different roles. They need unique training methods.

Using a military example, she explained that while the National Defence College (NDC) is the top institution for military education, the different branches of the armed forces still have their own special training schools.

She also mentioned that creating SIMI fits with global best practices. Intelligence and security agencies around the world have dedicated schools and institutions for training leaders, managing intelligence, and developing strategic policies.

To wrap up her speech, Ms Adesuyi called SIMI a long-term investment in Nigeria’s future security.

She noted that even though it is still new, the institute has already made significant progress and offered many useful policy suggestions for the government.

“SIMI is not just any institution,” she said. “It is an investment in foresight, readiness, and national strength, a platform designed to keep Nigeria prepared for challenges, ready to grab opportunities, and shape its future.