People Who Underrate President Tinubu Do So at Their Own Risk – NSA Nuhu Ribadu Warns Critics

Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s current National Security Adviser (NSA), has issued a strong warning to critics who underestimate the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Speaking during the 2025 National Cyber Security Conference held in Abuja, Ribadu expressed confidence in the current administration’s achievements, cautioning that dismissing Tinubu’s capacity is a dangerous misjudgment.

The conference, themed ‘Building a Resilient Digital Future’, brought together experts, government officials, private stakeholders, and international participants to explore pathways to national cyber resilience.

While addressing the audience—which included dignitaries from both within and outside the country—Ribadu made firm declarations about President Tinubu’s governance qualities.

“We have quality leadership in Nigeria today. Mr. President is not just informed, he is technologically inclined and intellectually sound. People who take him lightly are making a grave mistake,” Ribadu stated.

Tinubu’s Leadership Is Stabilizing Nigeria – Ribadu

Ribadu emphasized that despite widespread misinformation and criticism from some quarters, President Tinubu’s administration is gradually bringing stability and progress to Nigeria. According to him, those who are loudly criticizing the government are not in touch with reality.

“Things are indeed changing. We are working towards national stability. Nigeria is becoming safer and more secure each day. The economy is beginning to stabilize. Things are improving, one step at a time,” he asserted.

He also shed light on the administration’s collaboration with major telecom providers, noting that such partnerships are enhancing national security.

“We are closely cooperating with major telecommunications companies. Nigeria is not what it used to be. Forget the noise. The Niger Delta is now more secure than before. Even the South-East is gradually normalizing.”

Ribadu further vowed that the government would crack down on diaspora-based actors instigating violence back home.

“Those causing unrest from outside the country will face the law. We are disrupting the flow of illicit funds they send to Nigeria. We are seeing results, but unfortunately, many don’t see them,” Ribadu added.

Critics Are Expired Politicians – Ribadu

The NSA didn’t hold back in his description of the administration’s critics. He referred to them as expired politicians desperate to reclaim relevance.

“These are desperate individuals who believe political power is their birthright. They appear on television stations like Channels and Arise TV to scream and cause division. But the truth is—they are outdated and irrelevant.”

He went on to accuse them of being responsible for Nigeria’s long-standing problems:

“They fueled our religious, ethnic, and political divisions for their own benefit. Nigerians are smarter now. These critics should step aside and let the current administration address the mess they created.”

Nigeria is the Future of Africa – Ribadu Tells Investors

Calling on both local and international investors, particularly in the tech and telecommunications sectors, Ribadu urged them to see Nigeria as a fertile ground for investment.

“Nigeria is the gateway to Africa’s future. We are ready. We invite investors and telcos to come in and partner with us for progress,” he declared.

Building a Resilient Digital Future is Non-Negotiable

Ribadu also used the opportunity to stress the importance of cyber resilience, pointing out that public institutions, banks, academic institutions, and marketplaces are now prime targets for cybercriminals.

“Cybersecurity isn’t optional anymore. It’s a foundational component of both national defense and economic growth. A secure digital environment must be purposefully and collectively built,” he said.

He disclosed that the federal government had taken tangible steps to fortify Nigeria’s cyber space through the establishment of the National Cyber Crime Centre, which is now fully operational.

EFCC Chair Olukoyede Outlines Anti-Cybercrime Progress

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), elaborated on the Commission’s ongoing efforts to counter cyber threats.

He revealed that by the end of 2025, all EFCC activities—including petition submission, investigations, and prosecutions—will be fully digitalized to enhance transparency and efficiency.

Olukoyede reported impressive achievements over the past two years in tracking and tackling cyber fraud. He specifically mentioned a major breakthrough where a group of 194 cybercriminals were arrested in one operation. Out of those, 146 have already been successfully prosecuted and convicted.

“We’ve discovered foreign nationals using Nigerian identities to carry out fraudulent activities. But we’re catching up to them. The digitalization of our systems will make such crimes harder to commit,” Olukoyede concluded.