In a shake-up within the nation’s security apparatus, Adegboyega Fasasi has been removed from his position as Chief Security Officer (CSO) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The decision, finalized over the weekend, was made by Tosin Ajayi, the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS), also known as the Department of State Services (DSS).
Fasasi’s replacement, Rasheed Atanda Lawal, is a deputy director within the SSS and is currently participating in a fellowship course at the National Institute for Security Studies. Sources indicate that President Tinubu approved Fasasi’s removal at the request of the DSS Director-General, who emphasized the need for a “strategic course”—a common rationale for the reassignment of top security officials.
Lawal was reportedly due for a promotion to the rank of Director in July 2023, but his advancement was stalled by the previous management, which did not favor him. The source noted that it has become customary for new Directors General to appoint a CSO with whom they feel comfortable, given the strategic nature of the role.
Historically, such transitions have occurred in previous administrations. For instance, in March 2019, former President Muhammadu Buhari approved the redeployment of his CSO, Bashir Abubakar, replacing him with Idris Ahmed after the then-DG of the SSS, Yusuf Bichi, recommended that Abubakar attend a “strategic course” in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The recent changes underline the ongoing evolution within Nigeria’s security leadership as the new administration seeks to align its security apparatus with trusted officials.
