Former National Security Adviser, NSA, Babagana Monguno, has revealed that the late former President Muhammadu Buhari was undermined by a powerful inner circle allegedly led by his nephew, Mamman Daura.
According to Monguno, the group amassed enormous personal wealth while deliberately depriving the Office of the NSA of much-needed resources.
In the book From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, written by Charles Omole, Monguno explained that several of the obstacles he faced while in office had direct consequences for national security.
He linked the crisis to a security briefing he received from the Commander of the Presidential Air Fleet, who warned that the company supplying the fleet was under investigation.
The commander reportedly cautioned that an indictment would pose serious security risks.
Monguno said he relayed the intelligence to Buhari and advised that the supplier be replaced, adding that the president accepted the assessment and formally approved the recommendation.
However, he said the decision triggered tension within the Presidency, with the late former Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, confronting him and asking, “Why did you do this?”
Monguno further alleged that the Minister of Finance, described as loyal to Mamman Daura, was enlisted to block funding to the NSA’s office despite the president’s approval.
“The Minister of Finance, who owed loyalty to Mamman Daura, was co-opted to withhold funds from the NSA office even after Buhari’s approval. Buhari and Nigerians were both victims of the cabal that enriched itself beyond measure,” he said.
He explained that the deliberate funding freeze severely weakened Nigeria’s security framework, leaving the country effectively exposed.
The former NSA noted that funds he inherited from his predecessor were quickly depleted, while vital subscriptions for security systems and strategic collaborations with foreign intelligence partners expired.
He added that surveillance systems around the Presidential Villa were sustained through the NSA’s budget, yet requests for approval to update and maintain them were repeatedly delayed.
Monguno also disclosed that even after Buhari approved certain appointments, they were later undermined by counter-directives issued by a powerful gatekeeper.
“You do not need a conspiracy to weaken a system; you only need petty sabotage repeated often enough,” he added.
