The Centre for Humanitarian and Homeland Advancement has come to the defense of President Bola Tinubu regarding his appointment of retired Major General Adeyinka Famadewa as Special Adviser on Homeland Security. The group dismissed criticism that the appointment signals an institutional failure in addressing Nigeria's security challenges.
Criticism of the Appointment
The centre's response follows remarks by Femi Otubanjo, a research professor at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, who reportedly described the appointment as "wrong" and an admission that the administration had failed to contain worsening insecurity. However, the centre argues that such views are misguided and reflect a limited understanding of modern security governance.
Centre's Position
In a statement issued on Friday, May 15, the Centre's executive director, Dr Maurice Ayobami, said the criticism was "misguided" and demonstrated a narrow perspective on security management. He emphasized that serious governments evolve their security structures to address emerging threats, rather than sticking to static frameworks.
Ayobami explained that the creation of the homeland security advisory role represents an institutional adjustment to evolving threats, not a weakness in Nigeria's security architecture. He noted that security structures globally are being redesigned to respond to more decentralized and technologically driven threats.
Complex Security Environment
The centre pointed out that Nigeria's security environment has become increasingly complex, with challenges such as terrorism, banditry, cybercrime, transnational organized crime, and sabotage of critical infrastructure. These emerging threats require improved coordination among security agencies. Modern security management now depends on stronger intelligence integration and faster inter-agency response mechanisms, the group added.
Ayobami clarified that interpreting the appointment as a duplication of existing structures is inaccurate. Instead, the role is intended to enhance coordination rather than replace statutory security agencies.
Defense of Famadewa
The centre also defended the choice of retired Major General Adeyinka Famadewa, describing him as a "tested security professional" with extensive operational and intelligence experience. Famadewa previously contributed to intelligence coordination reforms within the Office of the National Security Adviser, including work linked to the establishment of an intelligence fusion framework.
According to Ayobami, Famadewa's military background and experience in security coordination make him well-suited to the advisory role at a time of evolving threats. The group cautioned against the politicization of security reforms and urged critics to assess the appointment within the broader context of national security restructuring.
Structural Issues and Innovation
The centre noted that Nigeria's security challenges are rooted in long-standing structural issues, including porous borders, arms proliferation, and socio-economic pressures. These challenges require continuous institutional innovation rather than fixed approaches. Ayobami stated that no responsible government confronted with evolving threats would continue operating with static frameworks.
The group called for more constructive engagement with government reforms, emphasizing that the country's security challenges require coordination, institutional strengthening, and policy innovation rather than partisan interpretation.
Related Developments
In a separate development, Nigeria's National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, recently held high-level security discussions with United States Vice President J.D. Vance and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The talks focused on strengthening security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in combating terrorism in West Africa. The meeting underscored the importance of international collaboration in addressing regional security threats.
