Tinubu Creates Homeland Security Office, Appoints Retired Major General Fadewa as First Adviser

President Bola Tinubu has created a new Homeland Security office and appointed retired Major General Adeyinka Fadewa as the first Special Adviser on the matter.

The appointment came through a circular signed by Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume on Monday. This marks the first time Nigeria is establishing such a position, signaling a significant shift in how the country coordinates internal security.

Fadewa is not new to Nigeria’s security architecture. He served as Principal General Staff Officer to the National Security Adviser between 2015 and 2021, where he helped establish the Intelligence Fusion Centre at the Office of the NSA — a platform that brought together the DIA, NIA, DSS, Nigeria Police Force, and the Armed Forces for coordinated threat assessment.

The presidency describes him as a highly decorated officer with over three decades in military and intelligence operations. After retirement, he remained active in policy circles through the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, contributing to debates on policing reform and civil-security cooperation.

Why it matters

Nigeria has faced rising insecurity across multiple fronts — banditry in the Northwest, terrorism in the Northeast, and kidnapping nationwide. Security experts have repeatedly called for better coordination among agencies that often work in silos. The new office is designed to provide that missing layer.

Tinubu expressed confidence that Fadewa would advance the administration’s security agenda through improved intelligence integration and proactive risk management. The new adviser’s mandate covers homeland security initiatives, inter-agency collaboration, and intelligence-driven operations.

Sources: Punch, Voice of Nigeria, Daily Nigerian, Per Second News, 9News Nigeria