FOR THE RECORDS: Tinubu's New SA on Homeland Security on Nigeria's Security Challenges

The recent appointment of retired Major General Adeyinka Famadewa as Nigeria's Special Adviser on Homeland Security by President Bola Tinubu marks a significant development in the nation's ongoing efforts to tackle complex security challenges. As Premium Times, where Famadewa previously published his insights, has noted, this appointment brings a wealth of experience to a critical role. Famadewa's distinguished career, spanning over three decades in military and intelligence services, encompasses national security strategy, intelligence fusion, counter-terrorism operations, and international security diplomacy.

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Mr Fadewa 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.

His background suggests a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in safeguarding Nigeria's territorial integrity and national interests. The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation's statement highlighted his "rare blend of operational excellence, strategic foresight, and institutional leadership," underscoring the high expectations placed upon his advisory capacity. This appointment comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with multifaceted security threats, including insurgency, banditry, and other forms of organized crime, making the role of a dedicated homeland security adviser particularly crucial.

Notably, the article delves into Famadewa's 2023 piece, "Let's talk about national security," published on PREMIUM TIMES. In it, he argued for a more meaningful and comprehensive approach, moving beyond purely military solutions. He stressed the importance of clearly defining national security and emphasized that security is a collective responsibility, involving the entire society. Famadewa drew a parallel between the Nigerian national security discourse and the 1990 hit song "Let's talk about Sex" by Salt-N-Pepa, suggesting that while much has been said, "so little is said" in terms of tangible, lasting results.

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While we are always talking about security, we should do so meaningfully, with the intention of developing a comprehensive and lasting response. One likely action is for the responsible authority to expressly state Nigeria’s definition of national security as a first step. This could be included in the next review of the NSS. Security is the responsibility of the whole of society, government and nation.

From our perspective at Premium Times, Famadewa's appointment and the re-emphasis on his past writings are particularly relevant. We believe that a robust national security framework requires not only experienced personnel but also a clear, well-articulated strategy that addresses the root causes of insecurity. Famadewa's call for a societal approach and a deeper conceptual understanding of national security resonates with our commitment to fostering informed public discourse on critical national issues. His insights offer a valuable lens through which to view the government's security agenda, advocating for a more holistic and effective strategy than has perhaps been employed previously. The challenge now is to translate this strategic thinking into actionable policy and tangible improvements on the ground.

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The national security conversation in Nigeria for the last 15 years is akin to Salt-N-Pepa’s song on the aforementioned subject. While so much has been said about national security to the extent that it has influenced the decision of who sits at the apex of government in the revered Aso Rock Villa, the results we have consistently seen suggest that “yet, so little is said.”