Ribadu Assumes Office As NSA, Vows To Stabilise Nigeria

A retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Nuhu Ribadu, has officially taken over from Maj-Gen Babagana Monguno (retd) as Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA).

At a brief event in Abuja on Monday, Ribadu on assumption, promised to live up to the expectations of Nigerians and secure the country from all forms of insecurity such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, amongst others.

“We will stabilise this country, we will secure our country and we will make Nigeria peaceful because we believe time has come for this country to enjoy peace, restore order and rule of law just like any other country in the world,” Ribadu said as he assumed office.

“Securing the nation is a continuous process. We will look at what has been done and build on it. We will count on your support in the course of discharging our responsibilities.

“Mr. President has a huge commitment to securing every inch of our country. We will work with all stakeholders to deliver on this vision.

“This enormous task of securing our country is that of all Nigerians, and all friends of Nigeria,” he stated, according to a statement by the NSA Office.

Ribadu, a pioneer Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was previously appointed Special Adviser on Security to President Bola Tinubu on June 15, 2023.

However, four days after, in an unprecedented shake-up in the country’s security architecture, the President retired Monguno as NSA and elevated Ribadu as replacement.

In the last one week, there have been change of baton in all the security agencies affected with the assumption of the newly appointed heads.

Those affected in the unprecedented shakeup include Alkali Usman who was removed as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Lucky Irabor, sacked as the Chief of Defence Staff; Faruk Yahaya, retired as the Chief of Army Staff; Awwal Gambo, removed as the Chief of Naval Staff; and Isiaka Amao, retired as Chief of Air Staff.

Maj. Gen. C.G Musa is now the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj. Gen T. A Lagbaja is now the Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral E. A Ogalla now the Chief of Naval Staff, AVM H.B Abubakar now the Chief of Air Staff, IGP Kayode Egbetokun now the Acting Inspector-General of Police and Maj. Gen. EPA Undiandeye is now the Chief of Defense Intelligence.

Adeniyi Adewale took over from Hameed Ali as the Acting Comptroller General of Customs.

Born on November 21, 1960, in Adamawa State, Ribadu was EFCC boss from 2003 to 2007.

Ribadu studied law at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Kaduna State, from 1980 to 1983, receiving a Bachelor of Laws Degree. Following a year at the Nigerian Law School, he was called to the bar in 1984. He also earned a Master of Laws Degree from the same university.

As EFCC chief, Ribadu prosecuted his boss, the then Inspector-General of Police, Tafa Balogun, who was convicted, jailed and made to return about £150 million under a plea bargain arrangement.

Ribadu was replaced as EFCC chief in 2007 by AIG Farida Waziri (retd.)