No VIP police escorts without my clearance- President Tinubu tells Ministers

No VIP Police Escorts Without My Clearance – President Tinubu’s Directive to Ministers

President Bola Tinubu has issued a firm directive that no minister or senior government official will be allowed to use police escorts unless they obtain his personal clearance. This move is part of a broader effort to redeploy police officers to frontline duties in combating kidnapping, terrorism, and other security challenges facing Nigeria.

During the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held at the State House in Abuja on December 10, 2025, Tinubu restated his earlier order withdrawing police officers from Very Important Persons (VIPs). He emphasized that ministers and top officials who feel vulnerable due to the nature of their assignments must route their requests for escorts through the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), who will then seek direct presidential approval.

Tinubu explained that the decision was not arbitrary but aimed at ensuring that Nigeria’s limited security resources are concentrated where they are most needed, on the streets and in communities plagued by insecurity.

The President made it clear that ministries, agencies, and individuals should not bypass this process. He cautioned that any special security arrangement must be coordinated through the IGP and approved by him personally.

 In his words, “If you have any problem of security because of the nature of your assignment, please contact the IGP and get my clearance”. This statement underscores his determination to centralize and tighten control over the allocation of police escorts, which in the past had been widely abused and contributed to manpower shortages in core policing duties.

Tinubu also directed the Minister of Interior to collaborate with the IGP and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to fill gaps created by the withdrawal of police officers from VIP duties.

This means that civil defence officers may be deployed to provide limited protective services where necessary, ensuring that government officials are not left entirely exposed while police officers are reassigned to critical operations.

Beyond the immediate issue of escorts, Tinubu broadened the conversation to Nigeria’s wider security architecture. He instructed the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to set up a committee to review existing security arrangements. This reflects his recognition that the country’s security challenges are multifaceted and require coordinated reforms across agencies.

Interestingly, Tinubu linked the directive to broader governance reforms. He asked Vice President Kashim Shettima to engage the National Economic Council (NEC) in identifying grazing reserves that could be rehabilitated into ranches. This livestock reform initiative is tied to reducing conflicts between farmers and herders, which have been a persistent source of insecurity in Nigeria.

The Senate has already raised concerns about compliance, noting that some VIPs continue to retain police escorts despite the President’s order. This highlights the political and institutional resistance Tinubu may face in enforcing the directive. Nevertheless, his insistence on personal clearance signals a strong political will to reassert control over security resources and ensure they are deployed for the benefit of the wider population rather than a privileged few.

Tinubu’s directive represents a significant shift in Nigeria’s security policy. By withdrawing police escorts from VIPs and requiring presidential clearance for any exceptions, he aims to maximize the country’s security assets in tackling terrorism, kidnapping, and communal violence.

While the move has generated debate and may face resistance, it underscores his administration’s commitment to prioritizing national security over personal convenience.