Securing Nigeria’s Future: Overcoming Intelligence Gaps in Protecting Critical Assets

This study explores the challenges faced by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) in gathering intelligence to protect critical national assets and infrastructure. Using a descriptive research design, the study focuses on 250 NSCDC officers and is framed within Routine Activity Theory. Data were collected via semi-structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS.

The results reveal significant efforts by stakeholders to adopt modern intelligence-gathering techniques. However, several challenges hinder the effectiveness of this process, including poor collaboration between stakeholders, inter-agency rivalry in intelligence sharing, political, religious, and ethnic interference, inadequate funding, outdated equipment, and insufficient officer training. These obstacles have exacerbated social inequalities, where marginalized communities suffer more from the inadequate protection of national assets.

Moreover, the study highlights the need for a multi-sectoral approach to improve intelligence gathering, involving oil companies, private security agencies, community leaders, and government bodies. Such collaboration would mitigate the effects of social inequalities and enhance transparency, policy clarity, and coordination among stakeholders. The research underscores the importance of addressing systemic issues within the intelligence-gathering process to protect critical infrastructure effectively and equitably.

Recommendations include the formulation of clear policies and stronger collaboration to enhance the synergy between various agencies and stakeholders, promoting a more robust and inclusive approach to safeguarding national assets.