By Concerned Nigerian Citizen: An open letter to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on national security and the appointment of the defence ministers

Your Excellency,
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
Aso Rock Villa,
Abuja, Nigeria.

Subject: Questions on National Security Direction and the Appointment of the Defence Ministers

Your Excellency,

I write this letter in deep concern as a Nigerian citizen who desires a safer, stable and secure country for all Nigerians.

Security is the foundation of any functioning nation. Without it, nothing else can truly work — not the economy, not education, not healthcare, and not investment. Sadly, Nigeria continues to battle widespread insecurity: banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, herdsmen attacks, and general lawlessness across different regions of the country.

Your administration appointed Mohammed Badaru Abubakar as the Honourable Minister of Defence and Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle as Minister of State for Defence. While I respect your constitutional right and prerogative to make appointments, I feel it is important to review these choices in light of their past performance in security management as state governors.

During their time as governors:

Zamfara State under Bello Matawalle (2019–2023) was one of the worst affected states by banditry and kidnapping in Nigeria. Thousands of innocent lives were lost, communities were displaced, and many local governments remained under constant attack from armed groups. Despite efforts such as amnesty programs and dialogue with bandits, insecurity largely persisted and even worsened in some areas.

Jigawa State under Mohammed Badaru Abubakar (2015–2023) was relatively more peaceful compared to Zamfara and other neighboring states. However, security challenges still existed, including rising cases of kidnapping and communal tensions, and the region itself is not immune from the broader Northern security crisis. My honest question, Your Excellency, is this: If one of these men presided over one of the most insecure states in the country, and the other could not completely insulate his state from the regional security crisis, how do we now expect them to solve or provide better security solutions for a nation of over 200 million people?

This is not a personal attack on them, but a national concern based on performance and results.
Leadership in security must be based on proven capacity, measurable achievements, and strategic competence, not just political considerations or regional balancing.

Nigerians want to understand: What new strategies or expertise do they now possess that they did not apply or could not achieve while they were governors? What measurable successes from their previous roles qualified them to now handle Nigeria’s national security architecture? How does your administration intend to hold them accountable if the security situation continues to decline?

Your Excellency, Nigerians are not asking for miracles — we are asking for seriousness, transparency, competence, and results.

We want to believe that your choices are guided by the urgent need to secure lives and property, not political settlements.

Nigeria cannot afford further experiments with its security. Too many lives have already been lost.

I sincerely hope this letter draws your attention to the growing concerns of ordinary Nigerians, and that your administration will re-evaluate its security strategy with urgency and genuine commitment.

Yours respectfully,
A Concerned Nigerian Citizen