Ribadu remains NSA, new Homeland Security Office meant to strengthen coordination — Presidency

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has not resigned from office following the recent creation of the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security, a senior security source close to the Presidency has clarified.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity to PRNigeria, described reports linking the development to Ribadu’s alleged resignation as false, baseless, and misleading.

According to the source, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appointment of retired Major General Adeyinka A. Famadewa as Special Adviser on Homeland Security is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and improve coordination among security agencies.

Famadewa was a former Principal Staff Officer (PSO) to the National Security Adviser, retired Major General Babagana Monguno, between 2015 and 2021.

The source explained that the newly created office is designed to complement existing security structures similar to the Department of Homeland Security, which focuses on immigration, civil defence, transportation safety and domestic intelligence duties that do not in any way conflict with the constitutional responsibilities of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

“The rumours suggesting Mallam Nuhu Ribadu resigned are entirely false and should be disregarded,” the source stated.

The official added that evolving security threats, including terrorism, banditry, cybercrime, transnational crimes, and economic sabotage, require more integrated and coordinated frameworks within the nation’s security system.

The source further disclosed that Ribadu continues to enjoy the confidence of President Tinubu and remains actively involved in the coordination of national security operations, intelligence management, and inter-agency collaboration across the country.

The Presidency source urged Nigerians to ignore speculative narratives capable of creating unnecessary tension or confusion within the nation’s security environment.