Leadnaija
Political analyst and columnist, Farooq Kperogi, is under scrutiny following recent claims accusing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of an alleged “Yorubaization of Nigeria.” Contrary to Kperogi’s assertion, a closer look at the ethnic and regional composition of Tinubu’s administration—particularly key appointments in government and security agencies—suggests a more balanced national spread.
During the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, both Secretaries to the Government of the Federation (SGF)—Babachir Lawal and Boss Mustapha—were Northerners, like Buhari himself. In similar fashion, President Tinubu has appointed Senator George Akume, a Christian from Benue State in North Central Nigeria, as SGF.
This trend of regional inclusion also extends to the country’s top security and paramilitary leadership. A detailed breakdown of the current service chiefs and heads of major security agencies under Tinubu reveals a spread that includes officers from various geopolitical zones.
Below Is a Breakdown Of These Offices:
NSA: Nuhu Ribadu NE
Chief of Army Staff: Major General Olufemi Olatubosun SW
Chief of Air Staff: Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar NW
Chief of Naval Staff: Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla SE
Inspector General of Police: Kayode Egbetokun SW
Director General of the DSS: Adeola Ajayi SW
Director General of the NIA: Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed NC
Chief of Defence Intelligence: Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, SS
Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service: Kemi Nandap NC (by marriage)
Comptroller-General of Customs: Bashir Adewale Adeniyi SW
Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service: Haliru Nababa NW
Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency: Mohammed Buba Marwa NE
Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission: Olanipekun Olukayode SW
Corps Marshal FRSC: Shehu Usman Mohammed NW
Commandant General NSCDC: Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, NC
Chairman ICPC: Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu NW
CEO NFIU: Hajiya Hafsat Bakari NE
Reno argue that while political appointments in Nigeria are often subjected to regional interpretations, the current administration appears to maintain a deliberate balance reflective of the nation’s diversity.
Farooq Kperogi’s assertion of ethnic favoritism has sparked debates across social and political circles, with many calling for more fact-based critique of public policy and leadership.
Controller General of the Federal Fire Service: Engr. Jaji O. Abdulganiyu NC
Director-General National Youth Service Corps: Brig Gen YD Ahmed NW
From the above list, where is Lagos or the Southwest dominant?
I will now compare and contrast these appointments with those made by President Tinubu’s immediate predecessor:
Under Buhari Under Tinubu
Defence North North
AGF North South
AMCON North South
Airforce South North
Army North South
CDS South North
DIA North South
DMI North North
DSS North South
EFCC North South
FFS North North
FRSC North North
ICPC North North
Navy North South
NCC North North
NCS North South
NDLEA North North
NFIU North North
NHIS North North
NIS North North
NNPC North North
NPA North North
NPS North North
NSA North North
NSCDC North North
NTA North North
NUC North North
NYSC North North
PTDF North North
Police North South
UBEC North North
Under Buhari, you had over fifty key FG go to Katsina including:
CBN MPC: Aliyu Rafindadi
Chairman NRC: Usman Sandamu
Code of Conduct: Murtala Kankia
DG DSS: Lawal Daura
DG FRCN: Mansur Liman
DG NHIS: Prof. Usman Yusuf
DG NIA: Ahmad Rufai
DG SMEDAN: Dikko Radda
ES PPPRA: Abdulkadir Umar
FAAN: Salisu Nura
INEC Commissioner: Amina Zakari
MD FERMA: Nurudeen Rafindadi
MD FMB: Ahmad Dangiwa
MD NIMET: Prof. Abubakar Mashi
MD NPA: Hadiza Usman
NIMASA: Gambo Mahuta
Presidential Doctor: Dr. Shuaib Rafindadi
Calling the Tinubu-led government a “Lagos-centric Yorubaization Of Nigeria” is a provocative falsehood that could unleash ethnic tensions and undermine democracy in a delicately fragile nation like Nigeria.
