ABUJA, Nigeria – An analysis by PRNigeria has revealed a significant regional imbalance in Nigeria’s top military and security leadership, with the Northwest and Southwest geopolitical zones holding the majority of leadership roles within the country’s security institutions.
Of the 22 key organisations responsible for Nigeria’s national security, 14 are led by officials from these two regions — eight from the Northwest and six from the Southwest — leaving the remaining four geopolitical zones to share only eight positions.
President Bola Tinubu has retained some of the appointments made by his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, while also naming several leaders to head critical security agencies under his administration.
However, this distribution has raised concerns about the lack of regional diversity in Nigeria’s security leadership, especially given that the Southeast and South-South regions hold only two positions.
Regional Breakdown of Nigeria’s Security Leadership
The Northwest has a strong presence across various sectors, with key figures including General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff; Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff; and CG Haliru Nababa, Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Other notable leaders from the Northwest include DIG Hashimu Arugungu (retd.), Chairman of the Police Service Commission, and Mrs. Zubaida Umar, Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency.
The Southwest region is similarly influential, led by senior officials in both military and intelligence roles.
Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, recently appointed Acting Chief of Army Staff following the passing of Taoreed Lagbaja, represents the Southwest, along with Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun and DSS Director General Adeola Ajayi.
Other leaders include Olanipekun Olukayede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and CG Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service.
The Northeast and Northcentral regions hold three leadership positions each, with leaders such as National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.) from the Northeast.
Notable figures from the Northcentral include Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed, Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, and NSCDC Commandant-General Ahmed Abubakar Audi.
Southeast and South-South Underrepresented
In contrast, only two officials represent the Southeast and South-South regions. Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla serves as the Southeast’s Chief of Naval Staff, while Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye is the Chief of Defence Intelligence for the South-South region.
This limited representation has raised questions about equitable regional distribution within Nigeria’s security apparatus.
Emerging Centres of Power
The PRNigeria report also points to states such as Kebbi, Kaduna, Ekiti, and Adamawa as notable centres of influence, housing multiple key security leaders.
The clustering of these appointments risks fostering perceptions of regional favouritism, a concern among citizens from regions that remain underrepresented in critical security roles.
The dominance of the Northwest and Southwest in Nigeria’s security leadership, alongside the limited representation of other regions, highlights ongoing discussions on equitable national security appointments, regional balance, and the implications for unity and public trust in Nigeria’s security institutions.
