Premium Times analyses Ribadu's NSA performance amid northern insecurity debate
A Premium Times commentary examines the ongoing debate about National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu's effectiveness in tackling Nigeria's security challenges. The piece notes that while Ribadu earned early praise for his intelligence-led coordination style after becoming NSA in mid-2023, criticism grew by early 2025 due to persistent banditry and kidnapping in Benue, Oyo, and North-West regions. The May 2026 appointment of retired Maj. Gen. Adeyinka Famadewa as Special Adviser on Homeland Security sparked speculation about Ribadu's influence, though the article argues this reflects expanding security architecture rather than demotion.
The commentary highlights Ribadu's difficult position as a northern Muslim serving under southern President Bola Tinubu, expected to deliver security to regions battered by years of insecurity while navigating Nigeria's fragmented policing structure. It recalls Ribadu's controversial "our brothers" remark about bandits—which caused outrage among victims' families—and notes his EFCC record remains "unassailable" despite debates about specific cases.
Ultimately, the article concludes that judging Ribadu's success or failure by mid-2026 is premature, arguing that Nigeria's security conversation must rise above regional reflexes to evaluate how a Nigerian official coordinates an extremely damaged system. It insists Ribadu should be judged by measurable outcomes rather than rhetorical energy, just as he once insisted others be judged.