At the 20th Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism Awards in Lagos, Wole Soyinka sounded a caution that could steer the government toward more balanced security reforms — warning that a heavy security escort around one privileged individual undermines national priorities and may call for a re-distribution of security assets.

What Soyinka witnessed — and why it matters

Soyinka described stumbling upon what looked like a “film set” outside a hotel in Ikoyi, only to discover a “battalion-size” security detail guarding a young man. The presence of so many armed security operatives struck him as excessive — especially given the broader security challenges confronting Nigeria today. The young man turned out to be the president’s son. Soyinka said he was shocked and immediately sought to alert the National Security Adviser.

He argued that the scale of the security deployment was “sufficient to take over a small country,” a display he considers inconsistent with a nation grappling with kidnappings, insurgencies, rural attacks and widespread insecurity. While he delivered his criticism with a dose of humour — suggesting the president could send his son and his escort to quash regional unrest — the underlying message was stern: security resources must reflect national needs, not privilege.

Why this critique could help Tinubu’s reform agenda

This public admonition comes at a timely moment. President Tinubu has recently ordered the withdrawal of police officers from VIP protection roles, redirecting them toward core policing duties to boost community security. This policy is intended to reduce inequality in protection and improve public safety across underserved areas.

Soyinka’s comments add moral weight to that policy — reminding the government and the public that security is not a status symbol, but a public good. If taken seriously, this could lead to a fairer allocation of security assets, ensuring that vulnerable communities, not only high-profile individuals, benefit from protection.

Beyond that, the critique could help build trust. Demonstrating that even elite privilege is subject to public scrutiny might reassure citizens that resources will be used for collective security and not concentrated in a few hands.

An optimistic path forward for Nigeria

Nigeria is at a crossroads. With rising insecurity, banditry, and instability across many regions, the government’s renewed push to redeploy security resources is already a step in the right direction. By heeding voices like Soyinka’s — advocating for fairness, transparency and equitable protection — the administration could deepen its commitment to protecting all citizens equally.

If the reforms are implemented sincerely, with less VIP-centric security and more community-based protection, Nigeria could begin to close the gap between rhetoric and reality. There is an opportunity here for the government to show that security reform is not just about decrees, but about justice, equity, and respect for human dignity.

Let’s hope this warning becomes a turning point — and not just another headline.