Two prominent civil society groups, the Oodua Peoples Network (OPN) and the Niger Delta Stakeholders’ Forum (NDSF), have opposed calls by Senator Francis Fadahunsi for the removal of National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu on the grounds that he is not a military officer.
Fadahunsi, representing Osun East in the Senate, had urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to “reorganise the nation’s security management team by appointing a retired military officer as NSA,” further recommending that Ribadu be redeployed to a role “where his competence would be better utilised,” according to a statement released by his media aide, Sam Segun.
Reacting, OPN, through its president, Chief Olasupo Bamidele, Secretary Chief Emmanuel Adesokan, and Director of Organisation Kehinde Olasope, criticised the senator for bypassing proper channels in communicating with the President.
The group described Fadahunsi’s public call as “placing our collective national security in the court of public opinion instead of using his privileged position to engage the President directly, where the matter would have received due attention.”
OPN emphasised that “the position of the NSA is not reserved exclusively for serving or retired military officers,” noting that competent Nigerians from other backgrounds have successfully held the post. The group cited examples, including Late Muhammadu Gambo Jimeta, a retired Inspector-General of Police, who served as the pioneer Coordinator of National Security (1990–1993), and Alhaji Ismaila Gwarzo, a senior security and intelligence official (1993–1998), both of whom performed credibly despite not being military officers.
The NDSF similarly rejected the senator’s recommendation, underscoring that national security leadership should prioritise competence and experience over military service alone.
Read Also: Tinubu hails Senate for swift confirmation of Ex-CDS Musa as Defence Minister
“Without prejudice, between 1999 to 2023, the office was occupied by 6 different military officers at various times, and yet our national security situation deserves a lot.
“Therefore, to restrict the Office of the National Security Adviser to a retired military officer, portends a total lack of understanding of the national security concept by the Distinguished Senator.
“If the Distinguished Senator had done a little diligence, he could have found that the most successful National Security Advisers in the USA, UK, and other advanced democracies were civilian citizens, while ironically, their military counterparts had the worst administration.
“Looking at the events leading up to the unfortunate declaration of Country of Particular Concern by the US administration recently, President Tinubu appointed the NSA Mal Nuhu Ribadu to lead a Nigerian high-powered delegation to engage with the US team for peaceful resolution of the seeming impasse.
“His appointment was due to his pedigree and global network outreach, as he commands respect within and outside the international intelligence family.
“It’s on record that due to his acumen and diplomatic disposition, he has succeeded in attaining a mutually supportive position with the US administration to the relief of our country.”
Also rejecting the senator’s suggestion, NDSF, in a statement by its President, Andrew Mene, Secretary, Chief Rowland Tamunopiri, and Publicity Secretary, Umukoro Erhimeyoma, said the call reflected a narrow view of national security leadership.
According to the group, “modern security challenges-ranging from terrorism and cyber-threats to intelligence coordination-require not just military experience but strategic intelligence, inter-agency coordination, and policy depth, all of which Ribadu has demonstrated throughout his career.”
NDSF said Ribadu’s track record as a former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman and his longstanding involvement in security and governance reforms showed that effective security leadership is not defined solely by military background, but by competence, integrity, and the ability to integrate intelligence with security operations.
The group said, “Rather than distracting the nation with unnecessary politicisation of security appointments, leaders should support efforts already underway to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve operational synergy, and pursue lasting peace across the country.”
It added, “What Nigeria needs is results, not recycled arguments rooted in outdated assumptions. Senator Fadunsi’s suggestion that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should replace Mallam Nuhu Ribadu with a retired military officer as NSA exposes a shallow and outdated understanding of modern national security leadership. The idea that only a soldier can manage national security belongs to the past.
“Today’s security environment demands intellect, intelligence capability, strategic coordination, and integrity – qualities Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has demonstrated for decades.
“Ribadu’s leadership is anchored in deep experience in intelligence, anti-corruption enforcement, inter-agency collaboration, and counter-terrorism and policy competencies that many retired officers do not possess.
“Security is no longer about who can wear a uniform; it’s about who can analyse threats, dismantle complex criminal networks, and coordinate civilian and military structures effectively.
“Senator Fadunsi should also be reminded that the world’s most successful democracies do not restrict the role of National Security Adviser to military officers.
“In fact, they deliberately appoint seasoned civilians, technocrats, or intelligence professionals: These nations understand that modern security strategy is intelligence-driven, analysis-driven, and coordination-driven, not rank-driven.
“President Tinubu’s appointment of Ribadu aligns with global best practice. Leaders like Senator Fadunsi should focus on supporting the reforms already strengthening Nigeria’s intelligence architecture.
Nigeria needs competence, strategy, and results, not old stereotypes disguised as advice. National modern security is driven by intelligence, strategy, and coordination, not by military rank.
“Malam Nuhu Ribadu’s appointment as NSA is not a sentimental or political choice – it is a strategic, calculated decision grounded in the realities of modern security threats and what Nigeria urgently needs: integrity, intelligence, and actionable strategy.”
