19th June, 2023
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has redesignated Malam Nuhu Ribadu as National Security Adviser, while also naming DIG Kayode Egbetokun as acting Inspector-general of Police.
Ribadu’s new designation was listed among the new appointments made by Tinubu on Monday.
Last week, Ribadu was named as Special Adviser, Security, triggering debate as to whether the position will not create conflict with the NSA.
The president has now clarified Ribadu’s status, that he is his choice for the job of National Security Adviser.
By appointing the former chairman of the EFCC and retired AIG as NSA, Tinubu has broken with recent tradition, where only retired military men were appointed NSA.
But in the past , civilians and ex-police chiefs had occupied the position.
Also appointed is Egbetokun as acting Inspector General of Police. He had served in various commands around the country as commissioner and also worked with Tinubu as chief security officer, when Tinubu was the governor of Lagos.
Also appointed is a new acting comptroller-general of customs, who replaces Colonel Hamid Ali , who had been in the post for about eight years.
The new customs chief is Adeniyi Bashir Adewale who has been a career customs officer.
President Tinubu also named two additional Special Advisers, and two Senior Assistants.
The special advisers are Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser, Policy Coordination, Hannatu Musa Musawa Special Adviser, Culture and Entertainment Economy.
Sen. Abdullahi Abubakar Gumel was appointed Senior Special Assistant , National Assembly Matters (Senate), while Olarewaju Kunle Ibrahim was named Senior Special Assistant, National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives).
The appointed Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and the Comptroller General of Customs are to act in their positions, pending their confirmation in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.