President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has created a new homeland security advisory position at the federal level and appointed retired Major General Adeyinka Famadewa as the pioneer Special Adviser on Homeland Security.
The appointment, announced through a statement from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Monday, signals a major shift in Nigeria’s internal security structure as the Federal Government moves to strengthen intelligence coordination and improve responses to emerging threats across the country.
According to the presidency, the newly created office is aimed at boosting intelligence-driven security operations, deepening cooperation among security agencies, and improving national response mechanisms against terrorism, banditry, cyber threats, organised crime, and other security challenges.
The government said the move reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to reinforcing internal security architecture under his Renewed Hope Agenda.
Although some state governments have previously operated similar security advisory positions, this is the first time a Nigerian president has officially created a dedicated homeland security adviser role within the Presidency.
The development is also being viewed as a strategic expansion of Nigeria’s traditional security framework, which has historically revolved around the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Famadewa, who brings more than 30 years of military and intelligence experience, is expected to play a key role in coordinating national security initiatives and strengthening collaboration among intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
One of his most notable assignments during active service was his role as Principal General Staff Officer to the National Security Adviser between 2015 and 2021. During that period, he reportedly led efforts that resulted in the establishment of the Intelligence Fusion Centre — a multi-agency platform designed to improve intelligence sharing and national threat assessment among agencies including the DSS, DIA, NIA, Nigeria Police Force, and the Armed Forces.
Following his retirement from the military, Famadewa continued contributing to national security discussions as a Senior Research Fellow at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Abuja, where he focused on security reforms, policing, and civil-security cooperation.
He is also known for authoring a widely referenced monograph on policing and national security in Nigeria, where he proposed practical strategies for improving collaboration between civilians and security institutions.
The presidency expressed confidence that the retired general would use his vast experience in intelligence, counter-terrorism operations, and security diplomacy to strengthen Nigeria’s homeland security framework and improve proactive risk management nationwide.
