The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has called on the National Security Adviser (NSA) to remain focused and receptive to criticism as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to address insecurity across the country.
Speaking at a public engagement, the Sultan said national security management requires patience, inclusion and an openness to diverse opinions, even from individuals who may be outspoken or controversial.
“I urge the NSA not to look back. You’ll have criticism, you’ll have critics — let them talk, but listen,” he advised.
The monarch emphasised that constructive dissent strengthens governance rather than weakens it. He cited activist Omoyele Sowore as an example of someone whose voice should be heard, even when his views are uncomfortable for those in authority.
“Those you’ll bring close to you, like President Sowore, bring him close,” the Sultan said, before clarifying: “When I say ‘president’, it is president with a small letter p. It’s only President Tinubu who has a capital letter P. There is nothing wrong in Sowore saying his mind.”
He warned that shutting out critical voices could provoke hostility and undermine national cohesion.
“The more you allow someone to have a say, the better for you and for him. The moment you turn down somebody and you tie him, you allow him to go haywire,” he noted.
The Sultan’s remarks come amid intense public discourse on Nigeria’s security strategy and the need for stronger collaboration between government, communities and civil society.
He reiterated his longstanding position that engagement, transparency and mutual respect remain essential to building trust and achieving lasting peace.
The NSA has not yet publicly responded to the Sultan’s comments, but security experts say the monarch’s intervention reflects growing calls for a more inclusive approach to national security.
