The Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) led by NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, will function alongside the Office of Homeland Security Adviser led by newly appointed Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security, Major General Adeyinka A. Famadewa (rtd), to strengthen domestic/internal security focus of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
Particularly, it will help in intelligence-driven operations, threat assessment, and responses to issues like insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and other internal threats.
Effectively, it will function as a dedicated federal-level office focused on internal security, intelligence coordination, and inter-agency collaboration, functions hitherto handled by the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA). It is the first time a Nigerian government has formally created such a dedicated office.
Ribadu is expected to oversee broader national security strategy, including international engagements, counterterrorism, and overall coordination.
Meanwhile, there is no truth in insinuations that the NSA, Mallam Ribadu, resigned from office following the creation of the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security, a senior security source close to the Presidency has clarified.
On Monday May 11, 2026, President Tinubu approved the appointment of Major General Famadewa as Special Adviser on Homeland Security as “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.
A source which spoke on condition of anonymity to PRNigeria, described reports linking the development to Ribadu’s alleged resignation as false, baseless, and misleading.
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.
According to a statement by Head, Information & Public Relations, Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Chris Ugwuegbulam: “In a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, CON, which was issued by the Permanent Secretary General Services Office, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni, the appointment underscores the commitment of the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthening internal security coordination, enhancing intelligence-driven operations, and deepening inter-agency collaboration in addressing emerging security threats across the country.
“Major General Famadewa (Rtd) is a highly decorated retired General with over three decades of distinguished military and intelligence service spanning national security strategy, intelligence fusion, counter-terrorism operations, and international security diplomacy. His career reflects a rare blend of operational excellence, strategic foresight, and institutional leadership in safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity and national interests.
“As Principal General Staff Officer to the National Security Adviser at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) from 2015 to 2021, he played a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s modern intelligence coordination framework. He spearheaded the establishment of the Intelligence Fusion Centre (IFC) at ONSA, creating an integrated multi-agency intelligence platform that brought together the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Armed Forces to improve national threat assessment and strategic response coordination.
“Following his retirement from active military service, Major General Famadewa (Rtd) served as Senior Research Fellow at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, where he continued to provide strategic thought leadership on policing, civil-security cooperation, and national security reform. His scholarly contributions include the widely acclaimed monograph titled “Policing and National Security in Nigeria,” which offers practical frameworks for strengthening civil-security collaboration.
“President Tinubu expressed confidence that the appointment of Major General Fadewa (Rtd) will further enhance the administration’s efforts toward achieving a safer and more secure Nigeria through improved coordination of homeland security initiatives, intelligence integration, and proactive risk management.
“He also urged him to deploy his wealth of experience, professionalism, and strategic insight in advancing national security objectives and supporting the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”
