President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is currently chairing a hybrid joint meeting of the Council of State and the Police Council to address critical national security concerns and ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s policing system.
The high-level session, taking place at the Council Chambers of the State House in Abuja, is attended by serving and former senior government officials, including ex-Heads of State Generals Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) and Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), who joined virtually.
Present at the meeting are former Chief Justices of Nigeria Alfa Belgore, Walter Onnoghen, Tanko Muhammad, and Kayode Ariwoola; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas; National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila; Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State.
Several governors across the federation are also participating, including Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Ahmad Aliyu (Sokoto), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Ahmed Ododo (Kogi), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Alex Otti (Abia), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Abba Yusuf (Kano), and Dikko Radda (Katsina).
Deputy governors in attendance include Bayo Lawal (Oyo), Kola Adewusi (Osun), and Josephine Piyo (Plateau), among others.
According to State House sources, the meeting is focusing on evaluating current security dynamics and reviewing reforms designed to strengthen the police and other law enforcement agencies to effectively respond to emerging threats.
This is President Tinubu’s second Council of State session since assuming office, following the first held on August 12, 2024.
Established under the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Council of State advises the President on key national issues, including security, governance, and appointments. Deliberations from today’s meeting are expected to yield actionable recommendations on police welfare, institutional accountability, and improved internal security coordination in line with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
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