The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has commenced a major infrastructure upgrade at its national headquarters in Sauka Abuja, with projects estimated at over one billion naira.
The Commandant-General of the Corps, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, performed the groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, describing the initiative as part of ongoing efforts to reposition the Corps and strengthen its institutional identity.
The projects, which include the construction of a befitting entrance gate, a new quarter guard, rehabilitation of internal access roads and installation of solar-powered lighting, are expected to be completed within eight weeks.
Audi said the projects were designed to give the national headquarters a befitting outlook, improve its physical environment and align its facilities with global best practices.
He explained that the infrastructure development formed part of his administration’s four-point agenda of resuscitation, rejuvenation, re-engineering and repositioning.
According to him, the initiative reflects the management’s commitment to institutional renewal through strategic investments in infrastructure, operational capacity and professional standards.
“We want to give the National Headquarters a befitting aesthetic look so that it will be in tandem with global best practice.
“We have also designed and the management, through our Tenders Board, has approved the construction of a befitting quarter guard and the access roads within the headquarters,” he said.
The Commandant-General expressed confidence that the completion of the projects would significantly improve the headquarters’ appearance and provide an environment that reflects the Corps’ professional standards.
He disclosed that the projects were being funded through intervention support rather than the Corps’ regular budget, commending President Bola Tinubu for providing the necessary support and enabling environment for their implementation.
Audi said the projects were expected to be completed and commissioned before the end of December, expressing optimism that the intervention would further strengthen the Corps’ institutional development.
He assured that the quality of the projects would be closely monitored and supervised by the Corps’ team of professional engineers, architects and builders to ensure they met the required standards.
He reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to protecting critical national assets and infrastructure, particularly against emerging security threats.
The Commandant-General noted that the evolving security situation required stronger institutional capacity, effective collaboration and improved operational readiness among security agencies.
He described the NSCDC as a critical component of Nigeria’s internal security architecture, serving as a buffer between the military and other internal security structures.
Audi also acknowledged the contributions of the military, police, other paramilitary agencies and the intelligence community towards strengthening inter-agency collaboration and national security.
He said the Corps would continue to leverage the professional expertise and training of the military to improve the competence and operational effectiveness of its personnel.
The Commandant-General further reiterated the Corps’ commitment to supporting national security operations through intelligence gathering, collaboration and the protection of strategic government facilities and infrastructure.
He said the ongoing infrastructure projects represented part of a broader commitment to building a more professional, effective and responsive Civil Defence Corps capable of meeting the country’s evolving security needs.
He thanked the President for his continued support, saying the Corps remained committed to the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and its mandate of safeguarding critical national assets and infrastructure.
He said the Corps had commenced preparations for the Yuletide period, with overt and covert operations, intelligence gathering and collaboration with relevant security agencies to ensure the safety of Nigerians.
Audi assured Nigerians of the Corps’ readiness to support security efforts before, during, and after the Yuletide, as well as ahead of the 2027 general elections.