Daniel Otera
President Bola Tinubu has convened crucial meetings of the Council of State and the Police Council for Thursday, October 9, 2025. These discussions will take place at the Council Chambers in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, and are set to address Nigeria’s escalating security challenges, as well as other key national matters.
A statement from Dr. Emanso Umobong, Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Affairs Office, confirmed the invitation on Monday. Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, extended the formal invites to members of both councils. Participants will be able to join either in person or online.
The statement read: “The meetings aim to discuss matters of national importance, particularly issues surrounding national security and policing. The Council of State meeting is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., with the Police Council meeting following at 2:00 p.m.”
The Council of State serves as a critical advisory body, composed of past Presidents, former Heads of State, ex-Chief Justices of Nigeria, state governors, and the Attorney-General of the Federation. As stipulated by Section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), it provides advice to the executive on significant policy matters, including national security and appointments. This Thursday’s gathering marks the second Council of State meeting since President Tinubu assumed office in May 2023. The first meeting, held in September 2023, focused on economic reforms and security strategies at the beginning of his tenure.
The Police Council, on the other hand, oversees the organization and operations of the Nigeria Police Force, handling officer appointments and discipline. Established under Section 153(1)(f) of the 1999 Constitution, it includes the President, the Vice President, the Attorney-General, and all state governors. Working in conjunction with the Police Service Commission, which focuses on recruitment and promotions of lower-ranked officers, the Council’s recent focus has been on police welfare and the upgrading of essential equipment.
In 2024, the Police Council approved a budget increase for police operations, allocating N1.2 trillion to the security sector overall, with about 40% directed towards the police for logistics and training purposes.
Sources close to the Presidency disclosed to The Journal that the upcoming meetings will address Nigeria’s increasingly dire security situation. The focus will be on assessing ongoing military operations and formulating new strategies to combat insurgency, banditry, kidnappings, and inter-communal clashes.
Nigeria’s security crisis worsened in the first half of 2025. According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), casualties from insurgent and armed bandit activities in the first half of 2025 surpassed those of the entire previous year. Particularly alarming is the surge in attacks in Nigeria’s northern and central regions, which has led to widespread displacement and a growing humanitarian crisis.
Armed banditry, especially in the northwest and north-central zones, remains a significant threat. With an estimated 30,000 members, these groups continue to launch frequent raids, targeting rural communities and travelers on major highways. In the first half of 2025 alone, over 857 people were kidnapped—an alarming increase compared to prior years. From 2017 to 2024, the average number of kidnappings was about 10 per day, attributed to approximately 20 active criminal groups in the region.
In August 2025, two high-profile kidnappings occurred in Zamfara State, where 50 individuals were abducted in one raid and 60 in another. These violent attacks often result in the deaths of innocent civilians, further traumatizing affected communities.
The violence has also caused mass displacement, with more than 3.3 million Nigerians forced to flee their homes, particularly in the northern regions. The United Nations reports that the displacement has strained local resources, exacerbating food insecurity, as many displaced individuals are unable to access their farmlands.
By mid-2025, Nigeria faced one of its worst food crises in history, with 30.6 million people across 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory experiencing food shortages. Banditry and insurgency have hindered agricultural production, directly contributing to the shortage.
In response to the growing humanitarian needs, international agencies and NGOs are mobilizing assistance. The 2025 Nigeria Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan outlines a request for US$362 million to address food insecurity for approximately 2.8 million people affected by the conflict. Despite these efforts, the ongoing violence hampers the distribution of aid, as roadblocks and active raids continue to prevent the movement of humanitarian workers into isolated areas.
In addition to security matters, the meetings will also address political and administrative issues. One significant agenda item is the nomination of a new Chairman for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who will replace the current chairman when his term expires. The INEC Chairman oversees elections for Nigeria’s 200 million citizens, with the 2023 general election seeing 93.5 million registered voters.
The meetings will follow President Tinubu’s return to Abuja on Monday evening after a 10-day official trip to Lagos. He landed at 6:55 p.m. at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport aboard his San Marino-registered BBJ aircraft, T7-NAS.
During his time in Lagos, President Tinubu engaged with top business leaders, including Bayo Ogunlesi, CEO of Global Infrastructure Partners, and Keem Belo-Osagie, Chairman of Metis Capital Partners. Their discussions focused on boosting investments in infrastructure, energy, and logistics critical areas for diversifying Nigeria’s economy and creating jobs. The World Bank estimates Nigeria’s infrastructure gap at $3 trillion over the next 30 years, with energy alone requiring $100 billion annually to meet growing demand.
Additionally, Tinubu met with Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola. They explored opportunities to grow Nigeria’s blue economy, which could contribute $17.5 billion to GDP by 2030, according to a 2023 study by the African Development Bank.
Before heading back to Abuja, President Tinubu visited Oyo, Imo, and Plateau states for official events. During a funeral in Jos for the late mother of the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, he reiterated his commitment to national unity and prosperity, saying, “My mission is to unite this country and ensure its prosperity. Progress is being made on both fronts.”
Despite having approximately 400,000 officers, the Nigeria Police Force faces significant challenges. Inadequate equipment, low morale, and insufficient pay are among the issues hampering effective policing. For instance, constables—the lowest rank in the force—receive an average salary of N50,000 per month, far below what is needed to motivate personnel and ensure effective law enforcement.
In response, the government has implemented several reforms. Since 2020, community policing units have been established in all 774 local governments, aiming to improve the relationship between the police and local communities. However, these reforms have yet to produce the desired results, with banditry in the northwest rising by 45% from 2023 to 2024.
The Police Council has provided strategic advice on security matters in Nigeria over the years, leading to the establishment of institutions such as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in 2015 to bolster internal security. Despite such efforts, the Nigeria Police Force continues to grapple with inadequate funding, low morale, and the evolving complexity of security threats across the country.