Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu over reports that security personnel have been deployed to protect his campaign billboards in Kaduna State, urging the Federal Government to prioritise the safety of citizens amid persistent insecurity.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the remarks on Friday in a social media post reacting to reports that security operatives were guarding Tinubu’s campaign posters and billboards ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign flag-off scheduled for Saturday, October 24, in Kaduna.

The former vice-president questioned why campaign materials required security protection while communities across the country continued to face threats from bandits, terrorists and kidnappers.

“Bola, you claim Nigerians love you, yet your billboards in Kaduna require security guards,” Atiku wrote, arguing that the protection given to the posters contrasted with the insecurity experienced by many Nigerians.

He added that the situation reflected what he described as misplaced priorities in the Tinubu administration, calling on the President to demonstrate the same urgency in protecting citizens as was being applied to safeguarding his campaign materials.

Reports indicated that personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Authority (KASTLEA), alongside other security operatives, were assigned to protect the billboards at strategic locations in Kaduna metropolis.

A security operative was quoted as saying that the assignment was intended to prevent vandalism, particularly at night, before the planned campaign rally.

The development comes ahead of the APC’s campaign launch in Kaduna, where Tinubu is expected to join party leaders and supporters as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general election.

Atiku’s comments have brought renewed attention to the issue of public security and the deployment of security personnel during political activities. The Presidency’s response to his latest criticism was not included in the reports reviewed.

The Federal Government has inaugurated a committee to organise the Nigeria Marine and Blue Economy Expo (NIMBEX), an initiative aimed at attracting investment, creating jobs and unlocking the economic potential of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, announced the inauguration, describing the expo as a platform to position Nigeria as a major destination for maritime investment, innovation and trade in Africa.

Oyetola, who was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Fatima Mahmood, said the event would bring together policymakers, international investors, industry leaders and technology innovators to explore opportunities in the country’s marine and blue economy.

According to the minister, NIMBEX is expected to help convert Nigeria’s maritime resources into investment opportunities, promote economic diversification and generate employment through partnerships and the mobilisation of capital and expertise.

Nigeria has an estimated 853-kilometre coastline and more than 10,000 kilometres of navigable inland waterways across 28 states. These resources offer opportunities to expand domestic and international maritime trade, improve logistics and support economic growth.

The organising committee is chaired by Husseini Shettima, Director of Marine Conservation, Innovation and Technology in the ministry. Kalthum Ibrahim, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, and Professor Busayo Fakinlede, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Marine and Blue Economy, will serve as co-chairpersons.

The minister’s Special Adviser, Bolaji Akinola, is also a member of the committee and will serve as the expo’s Chief Operating Officer.

Other members include representatives of key maritime institutions and agencies, including the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency, National Inland Waterways Authority and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria.

Representatives of maritime training and research institutions, coastal states, terminal operators, shipowners, freight forwarders, barge operators and other industry stakeholders are also part of the committee.

The expo will showcase investment opportunities across several areas, including port development, shipping, inland waterways, logistics, offshore energy, maritime finance, fisheries, marine biotechnology, deep-sea mining, maritime security and environmental sustainability.

Emerging areas such as marine renewable energy, green shipbuilding, artificial intelligence-driven logistics, subsea robotics and coastal tourism are also expected to feature.

The Federal Government hopes the initiative will strengthen cooperation between public institutions, private businesses, financial organisations and technology providers while encouraging sustainable development of Nigeria’s marine resources.

President Bola Tinubu has appointed former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi, as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS), Abuja.

The appointment was announced on Thursday, October 22, 2026, by the institute’s Director of Coordination and Liaison, Lilian Omo-Odigwe.

According to the announcement, Tinubu approved the appointment following a recommendation by the incumbent DSS Director-General, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi.

Bichi’s appointment takes effect from October 22, 2026, for an initial four-year term in accordance with Section 4 of the National Institute for Security Studies (Establishment) Act, 2019.

He succeeds former DSS chief A.A. Gadzama as chairman of the institute’s governing board.

The NISS said Bichi’s experience in intelligence, security administration, operational leadership and institutional training would contribute to the institute’s strategic direction and governance.

The institute is responsible for strategic security training, research and capacity development for personnel within Nigeria’s security sector and allied institutions.

Bichi previously served as Director-General of the DSS from September 2018 until August 2024, when he left the position and was succeeded by Adeola Ajayi.

During his career, he held several positions within the intelligence agency, including State Director of Security in Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto and Abia states. He also served in different directorates at the DSS national headquarters and headed the State Services Academy in Lagos.

Before joining the DSS, Bichi began his career in the Security Division of the Kano State Cabinet Office and transferred his service in 1984. He later received specialised training in intelligence processing, analysis and security administration.

His appointment comes as the Federal Government continues efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security institutions amid persistent challenges, including kidnapping, banditry and other forms of violent crime.

As chairman of the NISS Governing Board, Bichi is expected to provide oversight on the institute’s strategic direction and contribute to strengthening professional training and institutional capacity within the country’s security sector.