President Bola Tinubu has summoned meetings of the Council of State and the Nigeria Police Council for Thursday, October 9, 2025, to deliberate on the nation’s worsening insecurity and other key governance issues.
The back-to-back sessions, to be held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, are part of the President’s renewed drive to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and restore public confidence amid escalating incidents of banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence across several regions.
According to a statement issued on Monday by Dr. Emanso Umobong, Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office, on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, members of both councils have been invited to attend either physically or virtually.
“The meetings aim to discuss matters of national importance and key issues affecting national security and policing. The Council of State meeting is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., while the Police Council meeting will hold at 2:00 p.m.,” the statement said.
The Council of State, chaired by the President, is an advisory body that includes former Presidents, Heads of State, Chief Justices of Nigeria, serving state governors, and the Attorney-General of the Federation. It provides guidance on major national policies, particularly those relating to security, governance, and key appointments.
The Police Council, on the other hand, oversees the organisation, administration, and operational control of the Nigeria Police Force, including the appointment and discipline of senior officers.
Presidency sources told The PUNCH that the meetings are expected to review the country’s security situation, assess ongoing military operations, and consider new strategies to address violent crimes in the northern and central regions.
Discussions will also touch on political and administrative matters, including the anticipated nomination of a successor to the outgoing Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The meetings come shortly after President Tinubu’s return to Abuja on Monday evening from a 10-day working visit to Lagos, where he held a series of engagements with investors, development partners, and political stakeholders.
His aircraft, a San Marino-registered BBJ T7-NAS, landed at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 6:55 p.m., according to the State House Media Office.
While in Lagos, the President met with Global Infrastructure Partners CEO, Bayo Ogunlesi, and Metis Capital Partners Chairman, Keem Belo-Osagie, where discussions focused on deepening investment in infrastructure, energy, and logistics — key sectors in the administration’s economic diversification agenda.
He also hosted the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, alongside Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to discuss plans to develop Nigeria’s blue economy as “a viable alternative to fossil energy.”
Before returning to Abuja, Tinubu visited Oyo, Imo, and Plateau States for official engagements, reiterating his administration’s focus on unity, security, and inclusive national development.
At a funeral ceremony in Jos for the late mother of APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the President reaffirmed his commitment to religious harmony and national cohesion, saying:
“My mission is to unite this country and ensure its prosperity. Progress is being made on both fronts.”
Thursday’s Council of State meeting will be the second under President Tinubu’s administration and is expected to shape a coordinated national response to Nigeria’s complex security and governance challenges.
