Nigeria’s Security Leadership: NorthWest, SouthWest Dominate Top Military, Security Roles
A PRNigeria’s analysis of the leadership structure within Nigeria’s military, paramilitary, and allied security agencies reveals a significant imbalance in regional representation.
Out of the 22 key institutions responsible for safeguarding national security, the Northwest and Southwest regions together account for a substantial majority, holding 14 leadership positions—eight from the Northwest and six from the Southwest. Meanwhile, the remaining four geopolitical zones share only eight leadership roles.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu retains some of the appointments made by his predecessor, former President Muhammadu Buhari, while also making several appointments for the heads of the organizations in his administration.
The Southeast and South-South regions collectively possess just two leadership positions—an unsettling statistic regarding the adequacy of regional representation in the nation’s security apparatus.
PRNigeria report indicates that the eight heads of agencies from the Northwest cut across different sectors of the critical institutions. The key figures include General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff; Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff; CG Haliru Nababa, Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS); DIG Hashimu Arugungu (retd.), Chairman of the Police Service Commission: CM Shehu Mohammed, Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission; Mrs. Zubaida Umar, Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Ja’afaru Ahmed, Board Secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board.
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The six leaders of the security services from the Southwest are primarily in charge of lead agencies in the military, security and intelligence sectors. The Leading representatives include the newly promoted Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Acting Chief of Army Staff who now replaced the late Taoreed Lagbaja; IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police; Adeola Ajayi, Director General of the State Security Service (DSS); Mr. Olanipekun Olukayede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), CG Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service and Kemi Nandap, Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service.
The Northeast has three heads, likewise the Northcentral geopolitical zone. Notable leaders from the Northeast include Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser (NSA); Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Dr. Abdullahi Usman Bello, the newly appointed Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
The key positions of leadership from the Northcentral consist of Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed, Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA); Ahmed Abubakar Audi, Commandant-General of NSCDC; and Engr: Jaji Olola Abdulganiyu, Controller General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS).
Meanwhile, only two heads represent the Southeast and South-South. While the Southeast is represented by Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff, the South-South is represented by Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence.
PRNigeria further reports that certain states, such as Kebbi, Kaduna, Ekiti, and Adamawa, emerge as notable centres of power—housing multiple key security positions, which risks fostering perceptions of favouritism among regions that are underrepresented in significant leadership roles.
By PRNigeria
