CIA reportedly confirms Nigeria’s President Tinubu as active asset

The Central Intelligence Agency has reportedly confirmed that Nigeria’s sitting president, Bola Tinubu, is regarded as an active asset by U.S. intelligence, sparking a major international espionage scandal.

The disclosure surfaced in a joint filing by the CIA, FBI, and DEA opposing the release of unredacted information about Tinubu’s background.

According to Nigerian journalist David Hundeyin, who has spearheaded efforts for full transparency, the agencies submitted a memorandum citing Tinubu’s status as a CIA asset. Intelligence officials argued that exposing such connections could compromise U.S. national security interests.

The CIA’s memorandum underscored the importance of safeguarding its intelligence partnerships, stating, “Human sources can be expected to furnish information to the CIA only when they are confident the CIA can and will do everything in its power to prevent the public disclosure of their cooperation.” The agency further warned that confirming Tinubu’s involvement could endanger both him and others linked to him, potentially inciting retaliation from adversaries.

The push for full disclosure by Hundeyin has sparked debate among Nigerians, particularly those advocating for greater accountability from their leaders. Despite the public’s demand for transparency, the DEA supported the CIA’s position, asserting that while citizens have a right to some transparency, they are not entitled to unrestricted access to intelligence files on their president. “We oppose full, unredacted disclosure of the DEA's Bola Tinubu heroin trafficking investigation records because… they do not have a right to know what their president is up to,” the DEA’s statement read.

Reactions to the CIA’s confirmation have been polarizing. Hundeyin expressed disappointment, claiming that U.S. intelligence support for certain African leaders has contributed to regional instability. He argued that the CIA’s involvement has effectively empowered “terrible leaders” in Africa, impacting governance across the continent.

In response, Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, dismissed the claims surrounding Tinubu’s alleged CIA ties as “tragic” and baseless.

This situation highlights the complex balance between transparency, national security, and international diplomacy, raising questions about the public’s right to scrutinize its leaders’ backgrounds, especially when these connections intersect with sensitive intelligence operations.