Tinubu Strengthens National Security with Strategic Appointments and Arms Control Legislation
In a significant move aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s national security and energy infrastructure, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has announced the appointment of Hon. Ojukaye Flag Amachree as the new Director of Energy Security. This appointment is part of the government’s broader effort to secure a sustainable and resilient energy supply for the nation. According to a statement by Zakari Mijinyawa, ONSA’s Head of Strategic Communication, the newly created Directorate of Energy Security will focus on several key areas: policy coordination, infrastructure protection, risk advisory, and strategic alliances across the energy sector.
Hon. Flag Amachree brings over two decades of experience from his work in business, politics, and the energy sector, particularly in the Niger Delta, a region critical to Nigeria’s energy resources. His new role will see him leading national initiatives to enhance energy security while fostering greater community participation in protecting these resources. Working closely with government ministries, security agencies, regulators, and international partners, Amachree’s expertise will be pivotal in addressing both current and future challenges in the energy sector. His appointment reflects President Bola Tinubu’s strategic push to safeguard Nigeria’s energy infrastructure amid growing global energy supply chain concerns.
Read Also:
Additionally, President Tinubu has approved the bill establishing the **National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW)**, a crucial step in combating the proliferation of illegal arms in Nigeria. This legislative milestone was announced by National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu during a workshop on gender mainstreaming in the fight against the illegal spread of small arms, hosted by the NCCSALW in Abuja. Ribadu, represented by Ambassador Ibrahim Babani, emphasized that this legal backing will enhance the center’s capabilities to take more coordinated and decisive action against illegal arms trading, particularly in light of the growing concerns over insecurity fueled by the unchecked flow of arms.
The centre has already made notable strides in intercepting illegal arms. Recently, it retrieved a large cache of firearms from the Nigeria Customs Service, arresting 10 suspects involved in illicit arms importation. The suspects are currently being prosecuted under Nigerian law. The NCCSALW has also retrieved over 3,000 illicit small arms and tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition from government agencies, demonstrating its commitment to eliminating illegal weapons from circulation.
Ribadu highlighted the importance of **gender mainstreaming** in these efforts, stressing that women and children are disproportionately affected by the violence caused by small arms and light weapons (SALW) in conflict zones. The workshop anchored its discussion on international frameworks, including United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, which focuses on the protection of women in conflict and their involvement in peacebuilding initiatives. The NSA reiterated the need for a gender-sensitive approach to arms control and disarmament strategies, not only to meet global security standards but also to build inclusive and sustainable security frameworks.
In the coming months, the NCCSALW plans to carry out an arms destruction exercise, permanently removing recovered weapons from circulation to prevent their re-entry into the illicit arms trade. This initiative further underscores the government’s commitment to curbing the dangers posed by illegal arms and enhancing national security.
Both the appointment of Amachree and the enactment of the Arms Control Bill underscore the Tinubu administration’s proactive measures to tackle key security and energy challenges facing the country, while fostering a more inclusive approach to peace and stability.
