Category: Daily Trust

Former Governor of Ogun State and senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has declared that he would defeat Governor Dapo Abiodun overwhelmingly in the forthcoming senatorial primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general election.

Daniel, who spoke on Tuesday during an empowerment programme organised by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-Otunba Gbenga Daniel (BATOGD) Movement in Ijebu-Ode, insisted that he remained the popular choice among party members and residents of the district.

‘Without any doubt, in a free and fair primary, I will not just win, I will win overwhelmingly,’ Daniel declared.

‘Go to town and check with the people. Ask them questions. You’re here; on your way out, go to the people and ask questions about who is on the ground.’

He alleged that some forces within the party were planning to intimidate members and suppress voter participation during the primary election.

‘What the governor and others depend on is that they’re going to use violence and scare people from coming out to vote. And that’s why I’m telling our people that they should not be deterred; they should come out and vote,’ he said.

The rivalry between Daniel and Abiodun has deepened in recent weeks following a meeting of APC stakeholders in Ogun East, where the governor was reportedly endorsed as the consensus candidate for the district’s senatorial seat.

Daniel was reportedly prevented from entering the venue of the meeting held in Ijebu-Ode.

Speaking after the meeting, Former Ogun East senator, Lekan Mustapha, said party leaders adopted Abiodun because they believed he possessed the capacity to represent the district effectively at the Senate.

‘We will put a body together to deliver this message to our governor that he has been adopted as the consensus candidate,’ Mustapha had said.

However, Daniel’s political structure, under the BATOGD Movement, rejected the endorsement.

The movement’s Deputy Director-General, Tayo Onayemi, argued that the Electoral Act and APC constitution only recognise consensus backed by a written agreement of all aspirants or direct primaries.

‘There is nothing like endorsement in the Electoral Act recently signed into law by the President. What we have is consensus by agreement or direct primaries; anything short of this is null and void,’ Onayemi stated.

Both Daniel and Abiodun obtained and submitted APC nomination forms and appear set for the party’s primary.

During Tuesday’s event, which featured free medical tests as well as the distribution of empowerment items to his constituents, Daniel accused the Ogun State Government of frustrating developmental projects he had been facilitating in Ogun East.

‘The biggest problem we have in going ahead with that project is my brother and our governor. And I don’t see why this should be like this,’ he said.

He further criticised the state government over infrastructure and healthcare challenges in the district.

The former governor questioned why the government had allegedly failed to improve medical staffing and public health facilities.

‘Why has the government not been able to get international staff? We’re going to need more doctors and nurses,’ he added.

Daniel also cited the large turnout at the BATOGD event as evidence of his grassroots support.

‘The notice of this meeting was issued two days ago. The people are here standing; they’re trying to stop it again,’ he said.

‘So, how do you think the party can make progress if you don’t take into account the position and expressions of the masses of people that you see here?’

The Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) has warned that rising cybersecurity threats, economic disruptions and the activities of unlicensed practitioners could undermine the country’s digital future if urgent measures are not taken to strengthen the technology ecosystem.

The council’s president, Dr Essien Eyo, gave the warning during a virtual press conference ahead of the 2026 IT Professionals’ Assembly and Annual General Meeting scheduled to hold in Abuja next week.

Eyo said the council would intensify efforts to eliminate quackery and enforce professional standards across Nigeria’s information technology sector, stressing that only qualified and licensed professionals should be allowed to operate.

‘CPN is committed to ensuring high professional ethics and standards, and we will continue to intensify efforts to eliminate quackery, arbitrary practice and lack of standards in the IT sector,’ he stated.

He reiterated that it remains illegal for individuals or organisations to engage in computing practice in Nigeria without registration and a valid licence from the council.

According to him, the upcoming 2026 IT Professionals’ Assembly, scheduled to hold from May 13 to 14 in Abuja, will provide stakeholders with an opportunity to address emerging digital risks and strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness against evolving cyber threats.

‘The choice of the theme is both timely and strategic, reflecting Nigeria’s urgent need to strengthen its digital foundations while ensuring that no citizen, institution, or region is left behind in the rapidly evolving digital landscape,’ Eyo said.

He noted that countries across the world are grappling with rapid technological changes, cyber insecurity and widening digital gaps, making resilience and inclusion critical for sustainable growth.

‘In an era defined by rapid technological change, cybersecurity threats, economic disruptions, and evolving digital demands, resilience ensures that digital infrastructure, policies, and institutions can withstand shocks and sustain growth.

‘At the same time, inclusion guarantees that no segment of society is left behind in accessing digital opportunities,’ he added.

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector are divided over a recent agreement between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited) and two Chinese firms for the rehabilitation and operation of the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries, with experts split between optimism and deep scepticism about its prospects.

The deal, which involves Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xingcheng (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd, was signed in Jiaxing City, China, as part of a proposed Technical Equity Partnership (TEP) arrangement. It is aimed at completing outstanding rehabilitation works and restoring full operations at Nigeria’s long-dormant refineries.

The facilities involved are the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company in Warri and the Port Harcourt Refining Company in Port Harcourt, both of which have suffered years of neglect, repeated shutdowns, and failed turnaround maintenance efforts despite billions of dollars in investment over time.

The agreement has generated intense debate within industry circles, particularly over whether it represents a breakthrough for Nigeria’s struggling refining sector or yet another experimental policy that may fail to deliver meaningful results.

Optimism from downstream stakeholders

For many operators in the downstream sector, the partnership is being viewed as a necessary intervention to revive Nigeria’s refining capacity and reduce its heavy dependence on imported petroleum products.

The National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Dr Billy Gillis-Harry, described the development as a strategic and timely shift in Nigeria’s refinery rehabilitation approach.

According to him, the introduction of a technical equity partnership model signals a move towards operational efficiency, accountability, and performance-based management-elements he said were lacking in previous rehabilitation efforts.

He argued that Nigeria’s refinery challenges are not just financial but also technical and managerial, insisting that partnering with experienced international firms could help address long-standing inefficiencies.

Gillis-Harry said the initiative could restore confidence in Nigeria’s refining system and help reposition the downstream sector for long-term sustainability. He added that the integration of refining operations with petrochemical and gas-based industrial hubs would create significant economic value.

He further explained that such integration aligns with global best practices where refineries are designed as complex industrial ecosystems rather than standalone facilities.

According to him, the successful rehabilitation of the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries would generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs across engineering, logistics, retail, and support services. He noted that this would help reduce unemployment and improve livelihoods in host communities.

He also highlighted potential macroeconomic benefits, including reduced fuel importation, foreign exchange conservation, naira stability, and increased government revenue from domestic production and exports of refined products.

PETROAN expressed confidence that the initiative, if properly implemented, would improve fuel availability, enhance price stability, and strengthen the entire downstream value chain.

The association also urged the Chinese partners to strictly comply with Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act, stressing the importance of transparency, fair labour practices, and inclusive stakeholder engagement.

Despite the optimism expressed by some industry stakeholders, several energy experts have raised serious concerns about the deal, questioning both the technical capacity of the Chinese firms and the broader strategy behind the arrangement.

Energy expert Dan Kunle was particularly critical, arguing that the agreement represents a continuation of failed refinery rehabilitation attempts.

He maintained that the companies involved-Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xingcheng (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd-do not have a proven track record in refinery construction or operation.

According to him, both firms are privately owned and primarily involved in petrochemicals and industrial park management, rather than full-scale refinery development.

Kunle insisted that Nigeria should instead pursue a transparent privatisation process under the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), arguing that the refineries should be sold in their current condition to investors capable of making independent decisions on rehabilitation or replacement.

He warned that continued government-led rehabilitation efforts could lead to further financial losses, contract disputes, and delays.

‘The MoU is an exercise in futility,’ he said, adding that Nigeria has repeated similar arrangements over the years without achieving functional refineries.

He also questioned the rationale behind entering into new agreements instead of addressing structural inefficiencies in the sector, describing the move as a distraction from more urgent reforms in oil and gas production.

However, not all experts share the same level of pessimism. Energy analyst and businessman Rasheed Adeleke urged Nigerians to support the initiative while demanding transparency and accountability in implementation.

He acknowledged that Nigeria has experienced repeated failures in refinery rehabilitation but argued that abandoning efforts altogether would not solve the country’s energy challenges.

According to him, the current global oil market volatility and domestic fuel supply pressures make it necessary for Nigeria to explore all viable options for increasing refining capacity.

Adeleke stressed that the success of the partnership would depend on proper oversight, clear contractual obligations, and measurable performance targets.

He added that Nigeria must avoid the mistakes of the past by ensuring that any agreement signed translates into actual production output and not just paper commitments.

The management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has defended the agreement, describing it as a significant milestone in efforts to restore Nigeria’s refining assets.

According to the company, the Memorandum of Understanding followed more than six months of technical discussions between its teams and the Chinese partners.

It explained that the proposed Technical Equity Partnership covers completion of outstanding rehabilitation works, operational management, maintenance, and potential expansion into petrochemical and gas-based industrial projects.

The company added that the arrangement is designed to ensure long-term sustainability and profitability of Nigeria’s refineries.

It further stated that the agreement is still subject to regulatory approvals and final investment decisions, emphasising that all parties are committed to progressing in good faith.

Team Nigeria’s squad of established global stars and several rising talents is set to compete against continental heavyweights at the 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships which kicks off today in Accra, Ghana.

The delegation of 41 athletes and officials arrived Accra yesterday through Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos for the six-day competition scheduled to end on May 17.

The contingent comprising 17 male and 24 female athletes will compete for laurels across 26 track and field events.

The team will compete under the technical supervision of AFN Technical Director, Gabriel Okon, with support from an experienced coaching crew including National Head Coach, Solomon Aliyu for hurdles, Olu Sule for horizontal jumps, Deji Aliu for sprints, Gabriel Opuana for throws, Kolawole Adebayo for vertical jumps, Saheed Akinpelu for long sprints, Mavuah Esabunor for short sprints, Pade Lawal for women’s sprints.

Meanwhile, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has expressed confidence in Team Nigeria’s chances at the continental showpiece.

Team Nigeria’s stars to watch:

Tobi Amusan (100m Hurdles): The world record holder leads the contingent as the clear favorite in her signature event.

Favour Ashe (100m and Relays): One of Africa’s fastest sprinters, Ashe is expected to lead the charge in the men’s 100m and relay teams.

Rosemary Chukwuma (100m and Relays): Currently one of the season’s fastest female sprinters, she will lead the women’s short-distance team.

Chidi Okezie (400m and Relays): An experienced quarter-miler who recently helped secure a World Championship ticket for the relay team.

Oyesade Olatoye (Hammer Throw): A veteran field athlete and hammer specialist who remains a strong podium contender.

Ruth Usoro (Long Jump): A multi-talented jumper who bolsters Nigeria’s prospects in field events.

The squad also features exciting young athletes who impressed at the 2026 World Relays in Botswana, including: Miracle Ezechukwu and Tejiri Ugoh (Sprints/Relays); Aderonke Akanbi, who is part of a renewed push in distance running, competing in the 1,500m and 3,000m steeplechase as well as Godwin Tejiri and Rosemary Nwankwo (Sprints).

Max Air Limited has confirmed that one of its domestic flights operating from Abuja to Katsina made an air return shortly after takeoff following the detection of an engine-related anomaly.

In a statement issued by the airline’s management, Flight VM1620, which departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Monday, May 11, 2026, was forced to return about 15 minutes after departure when the crew of aircraft 5N-DAB, a Boeing 737-300 observed an indication suggesting an engine malfunction.

Daily Trust reports that the video of the incident had gone viral, with some passengers describing it as a near crash experience.

According to one of the passengers, a few minutes into the flight they started hearing a strange sound and the pilot had to return to Abuja.

It was learnt that many dignitaries were on board the flight including the son of the Max Air founder, Alhaji Dahiru Mangal.

‘We thank God for landing safely. It wasn’t a funny experience. We thought the aircraft was going to drop,’ the passenger said.

However, the airline played down the incident, explaining that the pilots acted in line with standard aviation safety procedures by immediately returning the aircraft to Abuja.

According to the statement, the aircraft landed safely and all passengers and crew members disembarked without any injury or incident.

Max Air further disclosed that it swiftly arranged a replacement aircraft, identified as 5N-DMK, which was deployed from Kano to Abuja to continue operations on the Abuja-Katsina route and other scheduled services.

The airline stated that its engineering and technical teams had already commenced a comprehensive assessment of the affected aircraft in accordance with regulatory standards and safety protocols.

It also noted that it remains in close communication with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and would fully cooperate with any review or investigation arising from the incident.

Reaffirming its commitment to passenger safety, Max Air said it would continue to prioritise operational safety, service quality and continuous improvement across its operations.

The airline thanked passengers for their understanding and continued patronage.

As of the time of this report, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) is yet to issue a statement on the incident.

The equities market extended its bullish run on Monday as the All-Share Index (ASI) crossed the 250,000 point mark, with investors gaining over N3 trillion amid sustained buying interest in key stocks.

Data from Nigerian Exchange Limited showed that the ASI advanced by 2.33% to close at 250,485.54 points, pushing the market’s year-to-date return to 60.97% from 57.30% recorded in the previous session.

Equities market capitalisation rose from N157.09 trillion to N160.26 trillion, while total market capitalisation stood at N215.89 trillion at the close of trading.

The rally was driven by strong demand for stocks including RT Briscoe, FTN Cocoa Processors and Livestock Feeds, alongside continued activity in banking and telecommunications counters.

Trading activity strengthened during the session as total volume traded rose by 30.82% to 1.51 billion shares, while the value of transactions increased by 17.23% to N70.10 billion exchanged in 95,093 deals.

Investor sentiment also improved sharply, with market breadth rising to 2.76x in the previous session as 56 stocks gained against 21 decliners, indicating stronger participation across the market.

The most active stocks by value traded were MTN Nigeria, First HoldCo, Dangote Cement, Zenith Bank and GTCO, which accounted for a significant share of total market turnover.

Year-to-date equities turnover also increased to N3.37 trillion, while average daily value traded climbed to N38.74 billion, highlighting sustained liquidity and continued investor participation in the market.

David Adonri, Vice Chairman of Highcap Securities, said the sustained rally reflects improving investor confidence, strong liquidity and increased positioning in fundamentally sound stocks. ‘The market is responding positively to improving investor sentiment and increased participation from both institutional and retail investors. We are also seeing renewed confidence in the resilience of listed companies and expectations of stronger corporate performance, which continue to support bullish activity on the Exchange,’ he said.

Three Nigerian journalists covering the 2026 Hajj exercise were reportedly delayed by Saudi train officials upon arrival at the Haramain High Speed Railway station in Makkah despite possessing valid travel documents, including visas and Nusuk Card.

The affected journalists were identified as Abubakar Usman Akwanga of the Nigerian Television Authority, Saad Abdulmutallib, and Abdulrahman Kadiri of the News Agency of Nigeria.

The journalists, who are members of the National Media Team covering the Hajj exercise, said they were subjected to extensive questioning and verification checks shortly after arriving in Makkah around a few minutes past 9pm.

According to them, Saudi train officials repeatedly demanded their Nusuk cards and visas and carried out detailed scrutiny of their documents before temporarily preventing them from leaving the station.

The journalists also disclosed that during the process, officials wrote statements in Arabic for them despite their inability to fully understand the language.

One of the affected journalists explained that the language barrier made the situation more frustrating as they struggled to communicate with the officials.

He added that at some point, he requested permission to use the restroom but was denied, forcing him to rely on body language and gestures while attempting to explain himself and clear doubts raised by the officials.

According to him, officials of the Nigerian liaison office were already on their way to intervene before they were eventually released after nearly one hour of questioning and document verification.

‘There was a lot of back and forth before we were finally allowed to leave for our hotel,’ he said.

Following their release, the journalists were reportedly conveyed from the train station to their hotels in a Hummer bus provided free of charge.

The incident highlights the heightened security and documentation checks currently being enforced by Saudi authorities during the ongoing Hajj operations, particularly around transportation hubs and pilgrim movement corridors.

The journalists had travelled aboard the Haramain High Speed Railway train from Medina to Mecca, a journey which typically lasts between two and two-and-a-half hours depending on the number of stops.

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has been sworn in for his seventh term after ruling the East African country for the past four decades.

Museveni, 81, had ruled the country for 40 years and was sworn in on Tuesday for a seventh consecutive term, to extend his presidency over a further five years.

Museveni took the oath of office and received the ceremonial instruments of power while being cheered by thousands in the Kampala suburb of Kololo.

The president urged Ugandans to work hard and build wealth for their families, citing the stories of individuals whose entrepreneurial spirit had paid off.

‘No more excuses,’ he said.

Many Ugandans now accept that Museveni’s presidency the only one that many millions of them have known, is nearing its end.

What remains uncertain is the nature of the transition and how orderly things would be in the time he has left in office.

Army Chief Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the president’s son and presumptive heir, oversaw days-long rehearsals of the military parade.

The parade animated inauguration of Museveni with Russian-made Sukhoi fighter jets flying noisily over official ceremonial grounds in Kampala, the Ugandan capital. (AP/NAN)

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that over 1.4 million members of the National Youth Service Corps would be deployed for the 2027 general election across the country.

INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, stated this on Monday during a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the NYSC, Olakunle Nafiu, at the Yakubu Gowon House, headquarters of the scheme in Abuja.

Amupitan described the NYSC as a critical pillar in Nigeria’s democratic process, saying the electoral body could hardly conduct elections successfully without the participation of corps members.

According to him, corps members have remained the backbone of election operations since 1999, particularly as ad hoc staff deployed to polling units nationwide.

‘You provide the heartbeat of our field operations. When we speak of election manpower, we are essentially speaking of your corps members. They are the most dedicated, educated and patriotic election duty staff we have,’ he said.

The INEC chairman disclosed that the commission deployed about 1.2 million ad hoc staff for the 2023 general election, out of which over 70 per cent, representing nearly 850,000 personnel, were corps members and student volunteers.

He said for the 2027 general election, the commission would require 707,384 corps members for the presidential and National Assembly election scheduled for January 16, 2027, while another 707,384 would be deployed for the governorship and state assembly polls slated for February 6, 2027.

This, according to him, brings the total number of corps members needed for both elections to 1,414,768.

Amupitan added that INEC would also require 52,446 corps members for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections as well as bye-elections in Nasarawa, Enugu, Rivers, Ondo, Kebbi and Kano states.

He noted that corps members played key roles during the 2023 elections, accounting for nearly 90 per cent of Registration Area Officers and Presiding Officers in many states.

‘These young Nigerians did not just facilitate voting; they protected the sanctity of the ballot in 176,846 polling units across the most difficult terrains of this country,’ he said.

The INEC chairman also commended the corps members for their role in the deployment and operation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System during recent off-cycle elections, including the Anambra governorship election and the FCT Area Council polls.

According to him, the digital proficiency of corps members contributed significantly to the seamless conduct of the elections.

He, however, acknowledged the risks often faced by corps members during election duties and assured that the commission was working with security agencies to strengthen safety measures.

‘We are constantly refining our insurance and welfare packages to reflect the value we place on their lives,’ he added.

Amupitan said the commission was already preparing for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections scheduled for June 20 and August 16 respectively, describing them as critical tests for innovations ahead of the 2027 general election.

He appealed for the continued support of the NYSC in the mobilisation and training of ad hoc staff for the elections.

Responding, the NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Nafiu, reaffirmed the commitment of the scheme to supporting INEC in the conduct of credible elections.

He recalled that the Memorandum of Understanding between both organisations was first signed in 2011 and had been renewed periodically.

The NYSC DG described corps members as reliable and easily trainable manpower, noting that the emergence of Gen Z corps members with digital skills would further strengthen election management in the country.

He assured INEC of the scheme’s support not only for the 2027 general election but also for forthcoming off-cycle elections and bye-elections.

The appointment of Adeyinka Famadewa, a retired major-general, as Special Adviser on Homeland Security, has sparked debate over a new dynamic of Nigeria’s security architecture under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.

Tinubu, who is currently outside the country, announced the appointment through a circular on Monday signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume and issued by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Ibrahim Kana.

According to Akume, the appointment underscored the commitment of Tinubu’s administration to strengthening internal security coordination, enhancing intelligence-driven operations, and deepening inter-agency collaboration in addressing emerging security threats across the country.

Daily Trust reports that Nigeria has in recent times witnessed growing security challenges with several soldiers, policemen and other security agents paying the supreme price while sophisticated security equipment was also burnt in the process.

While some Nigerians opined that the president’s decision was in the right direction, others said the appointment has a political undertone and could be a subtle move to whittle down the powers of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Two retired Generals gave different perspectives as to why President Tinubu created the office of the Special Adviser on Homeland Security.

‘I don’t think he will remove Ribadu. I believe he is trying to solidify the foundation for the state police. He will use him (the new adviser) and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to decentralise the police,’ one of the Generals told Daily Trust.

The other General said, ‘Ribadu won’t go immediately. He coordinates the nation’s intelligence architecture and the General will handle internal security.

‘However, going by the tribal politics seen since the present administration came to power, I won’t be surprised if Ribadu is sidelined. Maybe for the votes of the North East, he might still be relevant. However, nobody should tell me that this appointment is based on merit. What merit, really?’

A security expert, who does not want to be named, said there might be a problem.

According to him, ‘There are overlapping functions, no doubt about that. In the United States, the two are separated – the NSA being an advisor, and the Homeland Security Secretary being our equivalent of a minister.

‘But for Ribadu and this man to be both advisers, something is really wrong somewhere. Ribadu may not be enjoying Tinubu’s trust and confidence anymore,’ he said. The source said the outlook was not in favour of Ribadu.

‘This was how Tinubu gradually frustrated Wale Edun, until his (Edun’s) exit. First, all of Edun’s important and sensitive duties were given to a minister of state…Edun felt more and more humiliated the longer he stayed. He was later sacked. Ribadu may hang on to give the impression that all is well. Or his entitlements may not be tampered with, but the real power may have departed elsewhere,’ he said.

Who is Famadewa?

Famadewa is a decorated retired major-general with over three decades of military and intelligence service spanning national security strategy, intelligence fusion, counter-terrorism operations, and international security diplomacy.

He served as Principal General Staff Officer to the former National Security Adviser at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno from 2015 to 2021.

During his time at ONSA, he spearheaded the establishment of the Intelligence Fusion Centre (IFC), 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, Famadewa 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.

Ribadu, Famadewa can work together – Retired military officers

Meanwhile, in separate interviews with Daily Trust, Maj-Gen. Elvis Njoku (rtd) and Maj Bashir Galma (rtd) explained that even though there is a thin line between the duo’s responsibilities, they can still work together and get the desired results for the country and the President.

Gen. Njoku said, while the NSA advises the President in a wider capacity, Famadewa would advise him directly.

He said, ‘Homeland is the Ministry of Interior, you can check again. He is a Special Adviser to the President. That is what it is; there is no confusion about it.

‘National Security Adviser is different; this is a Special Adviser, just like other Special Advisers, directly to the President. Their functions could overlap. This one is advisory. He’s just advising the President, just like we have other Special Advisers. What are their jobs? The SAs are just making their work directly to the President, not to the world or to Nigeria.

‘NSA also advises the President in a wider capacity. This one is personal to the President.

‘For instance, I’m sure you know Bayo Onanuga is the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy. Does it mean that we don’t have the Minister of Information?

‘The appointment is just to add to the wealth of knowledge and clarity for the President. The President can reach quickly. I don’t think anybody is usurping another person’s power. There are new things everywhere. Change is constant. Things must not be done as they used to be. What happened in 1975 is not what is happening now; change is constant and we must be ready for change.

‘Absolutely, there will be no clash between the two of them; rather, it will be a beautiful mix of relationships. They will be working together. You know Famadewa worked with Monguno almost five, six years ago. He has a wealth of experience. Is it not good to have more people in this type of place?

‘The media should be campaigning for bringing more retired generals, the people that had given their best in nation-building through so many other means. So many Generals have a lot on their heads on what to do, but we just leave them like that; we must bring them on board. That’s why I say change is a constant thing.’

On his part, Maj. Galma said the NSA, being an officer from a paramilitary formation, needs both serving and retired soldiers around him.

He said, ‘This appointment made by President Tinubu is the right way to go, because I’m one of those who have been advocating for somebody with military experience who is going to be very close to the president to answer some professional questions regarding military operations.

‘General Famadewa is a good idea, but it depends on the assignment, which may clash. Though Ribadu came from a paramilitary formation, being a policeman before, he needs these military people around him.

‘But for somebody who is directly under the president, with military experience, with the rank of a major-general, I think it is a very good idea.’

Like US, like Nigeria?

Some Nigerians wondered why the Homeland Security Office was created when there is a Ministry of Interior, ONSA, among others, saying this is the first time such an office is being created.

They argued that if Nigeria must copy other countries, it must copy rightly.

Silas Omale, a retired officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), in an interview with our correspondent, cautioned the federal government not to create another ‘conduit pipe’ for taxpayers’ commonwealth.

He said, ‘If at all we want to borrow some things from other countries, it is important we copy them rightly. I pray this is not another office that will ‘swallow’ more of the taxes we’re paying.’

Checks showed that homeland security in the U.S, formally known as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is saddled with the responsibility of protecting the country from internal threats. The DHS was created in 2002 after 9/11, a coordinated series of terrorist attacks perpetrated by al-Qaeda against the United States in 2001.

The DHS was broken into five main missions, which include counter-terrorism and security threats; border security and immigration; cybersecurity; disaster prevention and response, as well as enforcing trade and customs laws.

On the other hand, the National Security Adviser serves as the chief adviser to the US President on national security, foreign policy and military matters. The NSA, officially known as the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, serves on the National Security Council and is assisted by officials who produce research, briefings and intelligence reports.

The NSA plays a critical role in the US’ National Security Council, which advises and assists the President on national security and foreign policy issues. In May 2025, President Donald Trump removed Mike Waltz as NSA and assigned Secretary of State Marco Rubio to take over the role in the interim.