President Bola Tinubu has appointed retired Major General Adeyinka Famadewa as Special Adviser on Homeland Security, marking the creation of the role for the first time at the federal level in Nigeria.
Gatekeepers News reports that the appointment was announced on Monday in a statement issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF). The statement was conveyed through a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and released by the Permanent Secretary of the General Services Office, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana.
According to the statement, the appointment “underscores the commitment of the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthening internal security coordination, enhancing intelligence-driven operations, and deepening inter-agency collaboration in addressing emerging security threats across the country.”
Although some state governments have occasionally created similar positions, no previous Nigerian president had established a dedicated homeland security advisory office within the presidency.
The move represents a significant shift in Nigeria’s security framework, which traditionally places advisory responsibilities under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Famadewa, who becomes the pioneer occupant of the office, brings more than 30 years of military and intelligence experience, spanning counter-terrorism operations, national security strategy, intelligence coordination, and international security diplomacy.
One of his key roles was serving as Principal General Staff Officer to the National Security Adviser between 2015 and 2021. During that period, he led the establishment of the Intelligence Fusion Centre, a multi-agency platform designed to strengthen national threat assessment and improve strategic response coordination among security agencies, including the Defence Intelligence Agency, National Intelligence Agency, Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, and the Armed Forces.
Following his retirement from military service, Famadewa joined the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Abuja as a senior research fellow, contributing to policy discussions on policing, civil-security cooperation, and national security reforms.
He is also the author of the monograph, “Policing and National Security in Nigeria,” which has been widely referenced for its recommendations on civil-security collaboration.
President Tinubu expressed confidence that the appointment would enhance “coordination of homeland security initiatives, intelligence integration, and proactive risk management,” while urging Famadewa to deploy his experience in advancing the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
