Nuhu Ribadu’s journey is etched in bold strokes: once a pioneering anti-corruption crusader, now Nigeria’s top security strategist. His path reflects both resilience and controversy, underpinned by an unwavering commitment to accountability.
EFCC Trailblazer and Legal Reformer
Ribadu rose from the ranks of the Nigerian Police Force to become the pioneer Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in April 2003 under President Olusegun Obasanjo (Wikipedia).
His tenure at the EFCC was transformative. Over 270 convictions were secured—including high-profile cases such as the prosecution of former Inspector General of Police, Tafa Balogun, who was jailed and compelled to return approximately £150 million under a plea bargain (Wikipedia, Skabash!). The EFCC also de-listed Nigeria from the FATF "non-cooperative" roster, gained membership in the Egmont Group, and saw the withdrawal of a U.S. Treasury FinCEN advisory, bolstering the country's global financial credibility (fellows.ted.com, Skabash!).
A notable indicator of his impact: on 20 October 2006, Ribadu told the BBC that over US$380 billion had been stolen or wasted by successive Nigerian administrations since independence (Wikipedia).
Pushback, Demotion, and Exile
Ribadu’s boldness came with political risk. In April 2007, he was promoted to Assistant Inspector General of Police. Yet by December of that year, he was removed as EFCC chairman and mandated to attend a course at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS)—a move widely viewed as politically motivated (Wikipedia, Skabash!). In 2008, he was outright dismissed from the police force, prompting his exile to the UK (Skabash!, Wikipedia).
Return to Reform Efforts and Political Engagement
Following his return in 2010, Ribadu was appointed head of the Petroleum Special Revenue Task Force in 2012, where he exposed deep-seated corruption within Nigeria’s oil revenue management (Skabash!). He also ventured into politics—running unsuccessfully for president in 2011 under the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), later attempting to contest for governor of Adamawa and switching party affiliations multiple times (Skabash!, arewanahiya.com).
National Security Adviser: A New Chapter
In a break from precedent, President Bola Tinubu appointed Ribadu as National Security Adviser (NSA) in June 2023, replacing retired General Babagana Monguno (The Guardian Nigeria, Independent News). This unprecedented choice—a former police officer in a role traditionally held by military generals—sparked both commendation and concerns.
Critics, including security analysts, argued Ribadu lacked the military background typical of his predecessors and warned about possible friction with service chiefs (Independent News, The Guardian Nigeria). Conversely, advocates like activist Deji Adeyanju and Mallam Hamzat Lawal praised the move as evidence of meritocracy and a commitment to strengthening the security architecture (PM News Nigeria, The Nation Newspaper).
Impactful First Year as NSA
Ribadu’s inaugural year as NSA has been marked by robust action. Between June 2023 and mid-2024, Nigeria:
- Neutralized over 9,000 terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers
- Arrested more than 7,000 suspects
- Secured the release of over 4,600 hostages, some held for up to three years
- Recovered large caches of weapons and ammunition (THISDAYLIVE)
He has also spearheaded the revival of specialized security institutions—the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), National Cybersecurity Coordination Center (NCCC), and National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW)—and pushed for police reform with support from the UNDP and the German Embassy (THISDAYLIVE).
His security doctrine emphasizes blending military, socio-economic, and political strategies—prioritizing community trust, intelligence sharing, and cross-border cooperation. These efforts contributed to increased oil production in the Niger Delta, the rebuilding of destroyed police stations in the Southeast, and reduced farmer-herder clashes in multiple states (THISDAYLIVE).
Conclusion: A Contested Legacy in Motion
Nuhu Ribadu remains a polarizing figure—admired for his integrity and feared by entrenched interests. From dismantling corruption to steering national security, he continues to shape Nigeria’s governance trajectory. Whether his strategy will prove enduring, or whether the system will ultimately reshape him, remains the critical question.
