The Presidency has refuted growing speculation about the future of National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, dismissing as completely false and baseless viral reports claiming that he had resigned from office.

The clarification became necessary following widespread confusion that erupted after President Bola Tinubu appointed retired Major General Adeyinka A. Fadewa as Special Adviser on Homeland Security. Many observers and social media commentators had interpreted the appointment as a signal that Ribadu was being eased out or replaced, prompting the Presidency to intervene with an official response.

A top source within Aso Rock was unequivocal in setting the record straight, stating that Ribadu remains fully in charge of his office and that President Tinubu continues to repose complete confidence in him.

The source described the resignation reports as not only false but potentially destabilising, and urged the public to disregard them entirely.

According to the Presidency, the appointment of Fadewa to the Homeland Security role was a deliberate structural decision aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s overall security architecture, not diminishing it. The new office, officials explained, is designed to complement and support the NSA’s work rather than serve as a parallel or competing authority. Far from signalling any internal friction, the move was presented as part of a broader effort by the Tinubu administration to build a more layered and responsive national security framework.

The Homeland Security office will focus on a defined set of domestic concerns, including immigration and border security, civil defence coordination, transport security, and domestic intelligence gathering. Ribadu, meanwhile, retains oversight of national intelligence coordination and continues to superintend the operations of Nigeria’s major security agencies a scope of responsibility that remains unchanged by the new appointment.

The Presidency source was careful to frame the development in terms of institutional expansion rather than personnel reshuffling. “This is about strengthening Nigeria’s security structure, not removing anyone,” the source said, signalling that both offices are expected to function in a complementary relationship under the broader direction of the President.