Tinubu as “Digital President,” Warns Critics Not to Underestimate Him
Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a forward-thinking and highly knowledgeable leader, cautioning political opponents and critics not to underestimate his capabilities. Ribadu made the remarks on Wednesday while speaking at the opening session of the 2025 National Cybersecurity Conference in Abuja.
According to the NSA, Tinubu’s leadership is rooted in digital innovation and strategic governance. “President Bola Tinubu is a digital President. He is educated and deeply informed. People who underestimate him are doing so at their own peril,” Ribadu said. He emphasized that the current administration’s commitment to technology and digital infrastructure is already yielding results and placing Nigeria on a competitive global path.
Ribadu’s remarks appeared to be in response to rising criticism from opposition parties and voices, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which has been vocal about the president’s policies and performance. Without naming individuals, the NSA suggested that many of Tinubu’s critics are relics of a past political era, stating, “Some of those talking today are expired people, many of whom we chased out of this country. Now they are coming back to speak. We must remind them of their record.”
He also credited the Tinubu administration with making significant strides in national security and digital development. Ribadu noted that security in volatile regions such as the Niger Delta, the North-East, and the South-East has seen measurable improvement, attributing this to the president’s informed and strategic approach.
In his address, Ribadu reassured the business community and global investors that Nigeria is becoming more stable, secure, and open for investment under Tinubu’s leadership. He highlighted the administration’s focus on cybersecurity and digital transformation as critical components of its long-term national development plan.
The cybersecurity conference, which gathered stakeholders from government, the private sector, and international partners, focused on digital security, innovation, and the growing threats of cybercrime. Ribadu reiterated that under Tinubu’s guidance, Nigeria is not only defending its digital space but actively building the infrastructure to thrive in the 21st-century digital economy.
The NSA’s bold assertion serves as both a message of confidence in Tinubu’s presidency and a warning to opponents seeking to question his competence. It also reflects the administration’s efforts to reframe the public perception of the president as not just a politician but a reformist leader deeply invested in technological advancement and national security.
