When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Nuhu Ribadu as Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA) in June 2023, many saw the decision as an inflection point in the country’s battle with insecurity.
Boko Haram insurgency, banditry in the North-West, secessionist agitation in the South-East, and oil theft in the Niger Delta had pushed Nigeria’s internal stability to the edge.
Ribadu, once famed for his fearless anti-corruption crusade as EFCC’s chairman, was now charged with solving one of the nation’s most complex task: restoring public trust and territorial peace.
Less than two years into his tenure, the story is shifting. The headlines have grown less dire. Critical infrastructure is reopening. Thousands of militants have laid down their arms. And at the centre of this turnaround is a man wielding not just military might but intelligence, and technology.
From Cop to Crusader
Born on 21 November 1960 in Yola, Adamawa State, Nuhu Ribadu’s journey began by joining the Nigerian Police Force, and quickly distinguished himself in criminal investigations and prosecution.
But it was his appointment as the founding chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2003 that made Ribadu a household name.
Under Ribadu’s administration, the EFCC issued thousands of indictments and achieved about 270 convictions. One notable case was that of his boss, the then Inspector General of the Nigerian Police Force, Tafa Balogun, who was convicted, jailed and made to return £150 million under a plea bargain.
In 2006, Nuhu Ribadu told the BBC that over 380 billion dollars had been stolen or wasted by Nigerian governments since independence in 1960.
“Basically, this money has gone to waste, nothing much to show for it,” he was quoted by BBC. “Of course, probably part of it will have gone to outside stealing.”
After years of political journey, including running for Nigeria’s Presidency in 2011, and Adamawa’s Governor seat in 2019, and 2023, Ribadu returned to public life in 2023 under Tinubu’s administration as Nigeria’s National Security Adviser.
Scorecard: Key Achievements Under Nuhu Ribadu’s Watch
Upon taking office as the National Security Adviser, Ribadu signalled a strategic pivot. Rather than relying solely on traditional military force, his administration prioritised intelligence-led operations, community engagement, cyber-security, and interagency collaboration.
“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,” he said after assuming office.
At an APC Midterm Policy Review Conference in May of this year, Nuhu Ribadu reported measurable successes since his appointment. Security situation documentations reveals that his office has achieved quality milestones, including:
- Decimating Insurgency Nationwide: Over 13,500 terrorists and armed criminals have been eliminated under the current administration. More than 17,000 arrests have been made, and over 11,200 hostages have been rescued across various theatres of conflict.
- Mass Surrenders in the Northeast: In Borno and the wider Northeast, over 102,000 insurgents and their families surrendered, handing over more than 11,000 weapons. Ribadu added that 13,543 insurgents were killed.
- Breaking Separatist Control in the Southeast: In a major shift, 50 police stations have been reopened in the Southeast, symbolising the collapse of separatist strongholds and a weakening of IPOB’s sit-at-home enforcement.
- Tactical Successes in the North-West: In Zamfara and Kaduna, 11,250 hostages were rescued, while notorious bandit warlords—including Ali Kachala, Boderi, and Halilu Sububu were neutralised during strategic offensives.
- Restoring Oil Production in the Niger Delta: Nigeria’s daily crude oil output surged to 1.8 million barrels in 2025, up from below one million pre-2023. Under Operation Delta Safe, security forces dismantled 1,978 illegal refineries and thousands of crude-processing facilities.
Reinventing National Security through Technology
One of the most underreported battlegrounds of Ribadu’s strategy is cybersecurity. Under his watch, the fight against insecurity has expanded into the digital realm.
Ribadu’s vision for tech-driven security came alive with the creation of the National Digital Forensic Laboratory, which now plays a role in supporting military and law enforcement investigations.
The high-profile Binance crackdown exposed a vast network of crypto-linked financial manipulation that threatened the stability of Nigeria’s economy. Last year, Ribadu’s office facilitated the arrest of Binance executives alleged to be involved in manipulating Nigeria’s forex markets through illicit platforms.
In its aftermath, dozens of digital accounts suspected of funding terrorism and separatist activities were identified and frozen.
“We therefore remain steadfast in our resolve to protect the Nation and assure Nigerians of our tenacious commitment to ensuring their safety and security. Security is everyone’s responsibility,” he said, assuring Nigerians of the focus on combating terrorism.
The Nuhu Ribadu Effect: A Shift to Intelligence-Led and Community-Driven Security
One of the defining features of the Ribadu’s leadership is the move toward intelligence-led operations powered by digital innovation. Real-time surveillance systems have been deployed to monitor high-risk zones.
A June 24, 2025 post by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, confirms Ribadu’s drive for inter-agency collaboration and intelligence-led operations.
“Today, I joined the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, at the Expanded Meeting of the Intelligence Community Committee (ICC) where we discussed extensively on how to enhance national security and intelligence sharing in our quest to achieve a safer nation.
“The meeting saw the convergence of key stakeholders including the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and Heads of Security Agencies,” the Ondo-born politician had noted.
Digital Transformation
Techparley can confirm that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under Nuhu Ribadu is now equipped with a national security grid that enhances the country’s capacity for preventive security enforcement.
Also, a major breakthrough is the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into national defence operations. AI tools are now being used for predictive threat analysis, battlefield logistics, and incident mapping.
Under his leadership, and in collaboration with the Interior and Solid Minerals Ministries, the Tinubu-led administration recently created the Mines Marshal Corps, a specialised unit charged with protecting mining sites and disrupting the illicit trade in natural resources.
In addition, through his guidance and effort, the government has launched the Pulako Initiative that is aimed at resolving the herder-farmer conflicts across Northern states.
A Legacy in the Making
Two years into his tenure, Nuhu Ribadu has managed not only to disrupt criminal networks but to reframe the national security conversation in Nigeria.
His reforms are far from complete, but the metrics—hostages rescued, weapons collected, refineries dismantled, cyber labs established tell a story of momentum.
Ribadu is proving that Nigeria’s security future lies in strategy, intelligence, and cooperation. The real test now is sustainability: will the system he is building outlast his tenure?
One thing is clear: for the first time in a long while —Nigerians, through Nuhu Ribadu’s efforts, are no longer just fighting to survive. They’re beginning to hope and believe in its greatness, again.
