Three months after an official memo redeploying him from the State House, Mr Adegboyega Fasasi, Chief Security Officer (CSO) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has continued to remain in his position.
Fasasi’s defiance of a posting directive from the Department of State Security Service (DSS) has raised concerns about adherence to service rules, security protocols, and overall discipline within Nigeria’s critical intelligence architecture.
In October 2024, DSS Director General, Mr. Tosin Ajayi, reportedly ordered Fasasi’s redeployment.
The redeployment was to enable Fasasi to attend an executive management course—a mandatory requirement for officers of his rank.
The redeployment, as learnt, is part of a standard procedure designed to enhance versatility, professionalism, and discipline within the service towards maintaining operational effectiveness.
Reports said that Ajayi’s decision to replace Fasasi with Rasheed Atanda Lawal, another director, was influenced, in part, by Fasasi’s failure to attend the executive management courses required for Deputy Directors and Directors.
Having spent over seven years in the State House in Abuja, Fasasi was to have been overdue for the mandatory training/course.
However, Fasasi has retained his position as the President’s CSO.
It is believed that he is enjoying the backing of some influential government officials and politicians in the Presidency, who might have deliberately refused to advert President Tinubu’s attention to the memo directing him to proceed on the compulsory course/training.
A report by PRNigeria quoted an intelligence operative to have claimed that Fasasi has been “resisting the directive.”
The operative reportedly claimed that top presidency officials are under pressure to keep Fasasi in his role, thus complicating the resolution of the issue.
Concerns have also been voiced by other DSS operatives, who said that Fasasi’s refusal to comply with the redeployment order was “unusual.”
They warned that such actions could undermine institutional discipline and erode respect for constituted authority.
Fasasi has also been accused of retaining close associates to work with him in the presidential villa.
Meanwhile, another security source indicated to PRNigeria that personal and security aides within the Presidential Villa operate at the President’s discretion.
The source noted that “Fasasi plays a crucial role in ensuring the President’s safety, acting as a key point of access to him. His actions have reportedly earned him the trust of both the President’s immediate family and other principal officials in the villa.”
The source further said that the executive training programme Fasasi was expected to attend was set to commence in February 2025.
“The training programme for Mr. Fasasi will begin in February, which is next month. He will remain in his position until the end of January 2025, after which he will embark on the training.
“This arrangement serves as a transitional period, allowing Fasasi to continue his duties while preparing for the upcoming training—unless the President decides to extend his tenure,” the source stated.
Meanwhile, security experts have noted that the standoff underscores the intricate balance between professional protocol and political influence in Nigeria’s security operations. The eventual resolution—or lack thereof—will likely set a significant precedent for managing similar issues in the future.
[Culled from PRNigeria]
