Prominent activist lawyer, Maduabuchi Idam, has called on President Bola Tinubu to break new ground by appointing women into key security leadership roles in Nigeria.

 

In a statement issued on Sunday, Idam urged the President to adopt an inclusive approach in naming Security Chiefs, emphasizing the unique strengths women bring to national security.

 

“Given Nigeria’s current security challenges, the time has come for out-of-the-box thinking. Repeating the same strategies will not yield different outcomes,” he stated. “To fulfill his constitutional duty of safeguarding lives and property, Mr. President must be willing to chart a new course.”

 

Idam criticized the apparent exclusion of women from high-ranking security positions, describing it as an unspoken bias perpetuated by political elites and even overlooked by women’s rights groups.

 

“I have reviewed the relevant laws on security appointments and found no provision that excludes women from serving as Security Chiefs. So why are they consistently overlooked?” he asked.

 

He argued that the role of a Security Chief is rooted more in intelligence and leadership than physical combat—a domain where women are equally trained and capable.

 

“It is not on record that female officers in Nigeria are incompetent or underperforming compared to their male counterparts. In fact, many of the current male-led security structures have not effectively tackled the nation’s insecurity,” he noted.

 

Idam highlighted women’s reputation for firmness, consistency, and strategic decision-making, asserting that their leadership could bring a much-needed shift in the country’s security landscape.

 

He concluded by urging President Tinubu to lead with boldness and inclusivity by appointing qualified women to top security positions—a move that could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s fight against insecurity.