President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not sleeping well. Not because the challenges of governing a complex nation like Nigeria are light, but because one issue has refused to relent—security. The increasing tempo of violence, particularly in Nigeria’s rural communities and forested regions, has emerged as a frontline concern. According to his Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, referring to the security burden “the President is concerned about what’s going on”—a statement that both reflects the gravity of the situation and the urgency with which the administration is responding.
In a week dominated by national security deliberations, emergency meetings, international diplomacy, and new military acquisitions, President Tinubu’s message was clear: Nigeria must not be allowed to slip into the hands of criminals, bandits, or foreign-sponsored terror networks. The forests must be reclaimed. The borders must be secured. And above all, the people—especially those in neglected rural areas—must feel the presence and protection of their government.
Perhaps the most headline-grabbing move this week came on Wednesday, when the President approved the immediate recruitment and deployment of armed forest guards. The unit, designed to operate within Nigeria’s vast and largely ungoverned forested areas—some 1,129 of them—is to serve as a permanent force within the country’s broader security architecture.
These forests, long exploited by terrorist groups, bandits, and criminal gangs, have served as safe havens and launch-pads for attacks, especially in states like Borno, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina. From the notorious Sambisa Forest to Kamuku, Sububu, Dajin Rugu, and beyond, these stretches of land have become synonymous with lawlessness.
The forest guards initiative, a joint effort between federal and state governments under the oversight of the National Security Adviser and Ministry of Environment, is both a security strategy and a socio-economic intervention. Thousands of young Nigerians are expected to be recruited—trained, armed, and deployed not just to chase criminals, but to reclaim sovereign territory. It is a step the President described as essential to “ensure that no part of Nigeria is abandoned to lawlessness.”
But the initiative is more than a knee-jerk reaction. It aligns with President Tinubu’s broader understanding of the interplay between security, food production, and economic survival. With farmlands in the North-Central, North-East and even parts of the South under constant threat, insecurity is eating away at Nigeria’s ambition to achieve food self-sufficiency. Farmers have fled. Markets have collapsed. Communities are under siege. To fix the economy, the President knows, he must first fix security—especially in the hinterlands.
Friday saw another symbolic but strategic move. Two new Agusta A-109S Trekker helicopters were inducted into the Nigerian Air Force (NAF). Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the ceremony, President Tinubu reiterated his determination to invest in “cutting-edge defence technologies” and equip the armed forces for both conventional and asymmetric warfare.
The induction was part of activities marking the 61st anniversary of the NAF, but more importantly, it reflected a President who understands that visible power projection can restore confidence. The President made it clear that the military’s transformation is a priority in the Renewed Hope Agenda, not just to tackle bandits and terrorists, but to make Nigeria more attractive to local and foreign investment.
The symbolism of the helicopters cannot be overstated. Air power is fast, intimidating, and often decisive in modern counterinsurgency operations. The acquisition of these and other platforms—like the T-129 ATAK helicopters and King Air surveillance planes—is a message to enemies of the state: Nigeria will not back down.
Still, the crisis is not entirely homegrown. At the heart of Friday’s emergency security meeting was a sobering intelligence briefing: the jihadist push from the Sahel is intensifying. Terrorist and insurgent groups from neighboring states are flowing across Nigeria’s porous borders, exploiting weak points and forming alliances with local cells.
General Musa, speaking after the meeting, did not mince words. “The pressure is what actually came into Nigeria because of the nature of our borders”, he said.
It is a problem that has plagued the sub-region for over a decade. As countries like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and move further from ECOWAS and democratic norms, Nigeria is left with a delicate balancing act—one that President Tinubu is navigating with a mix of firmness and diplomacy.
That diplomacy was on display Thursday when the President received six new ambassadors, including the Malian envoy, Cheick Oumar Coulibaly. Despite the shifting alliances, Tinubu emphasized unity, calling on West African nations to “strengthen bilateral relations” and insisting that “no nation can succeed alone.”
The Malian envoy responded in kind, pledging continued cooperation and acknowledging Nigeria’s leadership in regional peacekeeping and counterterrorism. It was a soft moment in a hard week, but it underscored Tinubu’s twin strategy: secure the homeland, but never abandon the neighborhood.
President Tinubu’s security recalibration is not solely about soldiers and helicopters. There is a growing realization within the Villa that insecurity is at the root of Nigeria’s most pressing problems—poverty, food scarcity, rural-urban migration, and even inflation.
With farming communities under siege, markets dislocated, and transportation corridors disrupted, Nigeria’s food system is struggling. And no amount of subsidized fertilizer or irrigation projects will matter if farmers cannot safely till the soil.
This is why the Tinubu administration’s renewed security drive must be seen through a developmental lens. By stabilizing the rural economy, the President hopes to spark a chain reaction: more food production, fewer imports, lower food prices, and improved livelihoods.
It is also why he has instructed security agencies to work more closely with state governors, traditional leaders, and local councils. Security is no longer the exclusive domain of the armed forces—it is now a “whole-of-society” effort. Everyone, from local vigilantes to community leaders, must play their part.
One point that came through strongly this week is that the President is not acting alone. The presence of top security and intelligence chiefs at the State House—NSA Nuhu Ribadu, DSS DG Oluwatosin Ajayi, all service chiefs, and even a DIG of Police, representing the civil force,—reflects a reinforced security culture in Abuja: collaborative, intelligence-driven, and proactive.
The new strategy is not merely about boots on the ground; it is about clarity of mission, unity of command, and agility of response. From kinetic operations to psychological warfare and community engagement, Nigeria is adapting. And President Tinubu, despite the obvious weight of responsibility, is leading from the front.
As the week closed, General Musa offered a reassurance that captured the mood inside the corridors of power: “We are going to continue to succeed. That, we assure all Nigerians.”
For a nation weary of violence but still hopeful, these words matter. Yet they must be backed by continued action, transparency, and tangible outcomes. The Tinubu administration has made security the bedrock of its development plan. Now it must deliver—steadily, relentlessly, and with the discipline the President himself demanded at the helicopter induction.
In the coming weeks, Nigerians will watch closely as the forest guards begin their work, as regional alliances are tested, and as the military expands its operational capacity. But more than anything, they will judge the President not just by the number of helicopters in the sky, but by whether their children can go to school, whether they can walk to the market, and whether the farm down the road will be safe to harvest again.
The President may be losing sleep—but if his new measures hold, perhaps millions of Nigerians will finally sleep a little easier.
Reform, Recognition, and Global Engagement
Meanwhile, the President’s schedule in the just-concluded week was a study in balancing the demands of governance with a deep appreciation for national values, cultural pride, and diplomatic visibility.
The week began with celebration and statesmanship on Sunday. Tinubu paid glowing tributes to Pa Reuben Fasoranti, the revered Afenifere leader, on his 99th birthday, describing him as “a rare Nigerian who served unblemished.” The President also felicitated Senator Mohammed Sani Musa at 60, applauding his work on fiscal reform and legislative excellence. Similarly, he celebrated longtime ally and businessman Chief Dipo Eludoyin, highlighting his loyalty and support for the Renewed Hope Agenda.
On Monday, the focus shifted to governance. Tinubu swore in two new INEC commissioners and two members of the Code of Conduct Bureau, strengthening democratic and ethical institutions. He then presided over a crucial Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting that approved several landmark initiatives. Among them was the launch of MediPool, a group purchasing platform aimed at lowering drug prices and improving access to essential medicines. The FEC also renewed the Group Life Assurance Scheme for federal workers, ensuring financial protection for public servants and their families.
A particularly ambitious decision was the unveiling of a $100 billion cultural monetization plan. Coordinated by the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, the initiative seeks to unlock Nigeria’s rich heritage and creative assets as a viable revenue stream. Additionally, FEC approved a revised National Employment Policy, the first in six years, which aims to address the evolving labour market and tackle unemployment and underemployment head-on.
Infrastructure received a major boost as well, with N1.2 trillion allocated for roads, power, and aviation. Notably, N175 billion was approved for Section II of the East-West Road, and the power sector saw new bids and equipment approvals. In aviation, nearly N1 trillion was committed to navigation systems, airport command centers, and terminal upgrades. These moves underscore Tinubu’s commitment to economic revitalization through strategic capital investment.
Tinubu also acknowledge prominent some Nigerians same Monday. He celebrated veteran journalist Lekan Sote at 70 for his five-decade media career, and on Tuesday, he congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke at 65, praising his national outlook. That same day, he honored Prince Bisi Olatilo, the broadcasting legend, for 50 years of professional excellence.
On Wednesday, President Tinubu approved revised procurement thresholds for federal MDAs, aimed at reforming and streamlining public procurement processes.
By Thursday, he was back to personal diplomacy, congratulating Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue on his birthday and meeting with BUA Group Chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu to reinforce public-private collaboration.
Friday saw a cultural flourish as Tinubu received the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, reaffirming ties with Nigeria’s traditional institutions.
On Saturday, Tinubu departed for Rome to attend the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican—an invitation extended to only a select group of global leaders.
Altogether, it was a week that showcased leadership in motion: blending reform, recognition, and international diplomacy.
He is excepted back in the country early this week to continue the clinical steering of the state’s ship, aiming to arrive at the promised destination he has always envisioned for Nigeria, through the carefully planned Renewed Hope Agenda. May Nigeria prevail.
