The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, Ph.D., mni, OFR, has reaffirmed the Corps’ frontline role in protecting Nigeria’s Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI), underscoring its strategic contributions to national security, crisis management, and economic stability.
Delivering a lecture at the National Defence College, Abuja, titled “Protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure During Crisis Management: Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Perspective,” Professor Audi said the NSCDC has continued to evolve into a proactive, intelligence-driven institution, deploying surveillance, rapid response, stakeholder engagement, and community partnership to safeguard strategic national assets.
He noted that the Corps has recorded significant operational successes in protecting oil and gas facilities, power installations, telecommunications infrastructure, transportation networks, and other critical national assets from vandalism, sabotage, crude oil theft, and other emerging threats. According to him, these efforts have not only strengthened national security but have also supported economic growth by ensuring the uninterrupted operation of essential services.
Professor Audi observed that the changing security environment, characterised by terrorism, cyber threats, insurgency, and natural disasters, demands a more resilient and technology-enabled approach to critical infrastructure protection. He therefore called for stronger legislative support, sustained investment in modern security technology, enhanced inter-agency collaboration, and continuous capacity development to consolidate the gains already achieved.
The Commandant General maintained that protecting Critical National Assets and Infrastructure is a shared national responsibility and remains indispensable to Nigeria’s stability, sustainable development, and national resilience. He reaffirmed the NSCDC’s commitment to strengthening its operational capabilities and deepening partnerships in pursuit of a safer and more secure Nigeria.
