Former Diplomat Urges Tinubu to Address Rising Insecurity.

Former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Yemi Farounbi, has urged President Bola Tinubu to fulfil his security commitments as outlined in his inaugural address on May 29, 2023.

Farounbi warned that the growing wave of insecurity and emerging external threats require urgent and decisive government action.

He noted that while President Tinubu implemented some of his early promises including fuel subsidy removal and the unification of foreign exchange rates these policies, though praised by some, triggered inflation and economic hardship for many Nigerians. He added that newer reforms such as tax restructuring are gaining recognition, even though their long-term impact will only become evident by 2026.

The former envoy stressed that rising insecurity and global uncertainties, including reported international threats involving former U.S. President Donald Trump, make it crucial for the administration to prioritise the safety of Nigerians.

Citing Tinubu’s inaugural assurances that his government would “mend and heal” the nation, Farounbi said many citizens are still waiting to see those promises reflected in everyday life as communities continue to experience killings, kidnappings and displacement. He also referenced the President’s pledge that Nigeria would remain a safe and secure home for all, urging the government to demonstrate this commitment to those living under constant threat from groups such as ISWAP, ISGS and other militant organisations.

Farounbi reminded the President of his vow to defend the nation from terrorism and all forms of criminality, noting that Nigerians had expected concrete progress against Boko Haram and other violent groups. He expressed disappointment that the promised overhaul of the country’s security doctrine and architecture has not yet been implemented.

He argued that Nigeria’s size and diversity make a single centralised police structure ineffective, advocating instead for the creation of state and local government police formations as part of a decentralised security system.

According to him, many Nigerians believed President Tinubu who showed political courage in removing the fuel subsidy would apply the same determination to restructuring the security sector, despite likely pushback from entrenched interests within existing agencies.

Farounbi urged the President to revisit his commitments to Nigerians and take decisive steps to reform the security system, emphasising that repeating outdated approaches would not produce different results.

He noted that several citizens expect the new security architecture to reflect decentralisation, devolution and localisation, even though resistance from established security bodies is inevitable. He added that Nigerians still believe Tinubu can deliver on his promises but insisted that immediate action is necessary.