By Dr. Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu
(Opinion)
In a nation where economic hardship continues to test the resilience of its people, the Department of State Services (DSS) under the visionary leadership of Director General, Mr. Adeola Oluwafemi Ajayi, has once again demonstrated that true security transcends the barrel of the gun.
The recent announcement of a ₦50,000 one-time cash assistance to 7,774 carefully selected vulnerable Nigerians — ten from each of the 774 local government areas — stands as a landmark achievement in the annals of non-kinetic security operations in Nigeria.
This initiative, totaling approximately ₦388 million, is not merely a welfare gesture; it is a masterstroke in nation-building, social inclusion, and sustainable peace.
A People-Centered Security Approach
The Nineteen Seventeen Northern Consensus Movement for Peace, Unity, Empowerment and Development Initiative (NSNCM) wholeheartedly commends the DSS and its Director General for this people-focused intervention.
By deliberately targeting the poorest of the poor—including widows, the elderly, persons with disabilities, the unemployed, and those burdened by medical challenges—the DSS recognizes that hunger, despair, and exclusion are fertile grounds for unrest, radicalization, and criminality.
In providing direct financial relief, the DSS is not only alleviating immediate suffering but also fortifying the social fabric of our beloved nation.
Transparency and Community Engagement
The selection process itself deserves special praise. Unlike many top-down interventions that often bypass the most deserving, the DSS adopted a grassroots, consultative approach.
Security heads, traditional rulers, religious leaders, local government officials, and community stakeholders were all involved in identifying beneficiaries. This ensured transparency, fairness, and cultural relevance.
When an 80-year-old grandfather like Pa Segun in the Southwest receives his ₦50,000 with tears of gratitude, it is not just money changing hands—it is dignity being restored, hope rekindled, and loyalty to the state reaffirmed.
Real Impact, Real Transformation
For the beneficiaries, this ₦50,000 is far more than a cash transfer—it is a lifeline with transformative potential.
In rural communities where daily income barely exceeds ₦500, this sum can cover three months of basic food needs for a family of five.
A widow in Sokoto can now buy grains, cooking oil, and medicine without begging.
An unemployed youth in Ebonyi can start a small poultry or vegetable business.
A disabled artisan in Kano can purchase new tools and resume his trade.
These are not abstract possibilities—they are real pathways out of poverty, made possible by the DSS’s foresight and compassion.
Aligning with Global Peacebuilding Standards
Moreover, this initiative aligns perfectly with global best practices in countering violent extremism (CVE).
Research from the United Nations and the Institute for Economics and Peace consistently shows that economic empowerment reduces vulnerability to recruitment by criminal or terrorist groups.
When citizens feel seen, supported, and valued by state institutions, they become defenders of peace rather than participants in disorder.
Through this initiative, the DSS is building a human security firewall—a foundation for peace that rests on inclusion and empathy.
We particularly applaud the DG’s emphasis on “winning hearts and minds.” This is leadership with vision and compassion.
A Call for Emulation
At a time when many security agencies are criticized for heavy-handed approaches, Mr. Ajayi has shown that strength also lies in compassion.
By investing nearly ₦400 million into direct citizen support, the DSS is setting a powerful example for other agencies and tiers of government.
We call on state governors, local government chairmen, and federal ministries to emulate this model.
Imagine the national impact if every security outfit in Nigeria allocated just 1% of its budget to similar empowerment programs.
The Way Forward
As National President of NSNCM, I urge the DSS to sustain and expand this initiative. Future phases could include:
Skills training and micro-credit programs,
Digital literacy and entrepreneurship development, and
Partnerships with civil society to track outcomes and share success stories.
Such steps will ensure long-term self-reliance and enhance transparency.
Conclusion
The DSS ₦50,000 Cash Assistance Program is, without doubt, a beacon of hope in Nigeria’s development journey.
It proves that security is not just about intelligence and enforcement, but about justice, equity, and human dignity.
On behalf of the Nineteen Seventeen Northern Consensus Movement for Peace, Unity, Empowerment and Development Initiative (NSNCM), I extend our deepest gratitude to Director General Adeola Ajayi and the entire DSS family.
May this initiative inspire a new era of inclusive governance where no Nigerian is left behind.
About the Author:
Dr. Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu, Sarkin Yakin Kanya Babba, is the National President of the Nineteen Seventeen Northern Consensus Movement for Peace, Unity, Empowerment and Development Initiative (NSNCM) — a coalition advocating for peacebuilding, empowerment, and inclusive national development.
Middle-Belt Times 