President Tinubu Extends Audi’s Tenure as NSCDC Chief
President Bola Tinubu has approved a fresh five-year term for Ahmed Abubakar Audi as the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The reappointment, effective from Friday, 27 February 2026, ensures continuity at the helm of the paramilitary agency. Audi was first appointed to the role in 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari. The announcement, confirmed by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, coincides with the 2026 World Civil Defence Day celebrations in Abuja.
The President’s mandate for Audi is clear: the NSCDC must now pivot to a more aggressive role in national security. As the Nigeria Police Force narrows its focus to combating banditry and kidnapping, the Corps is expected to fill the gaps in domestic protection. Tinubu’s administration appears to be betting on Audi’s academic and operational pedigree to professionalise the force. Born in Nasarawa State, Audi holds a PhD in Public Administration and a Master’s in Law Enforcement, making him one of the most decorated officers in the agency’s history.
Audi’s career is a rare example of a “volunteer-to-chief” trajectory. He joined the NSCDC in 1996 as a volunteer before receiving formal officer training a year later. His rise through the ranks saw him serve as a Divisional Officer in Nasarawa and later as a Commandant at the National Headquarters. This deep institutional knowledge is likely what secured his second term. Supporters point to his efforts in digitising the Corps’ payroll and modernising its tactical units as evidence of his effectiveness.
However, the renewal comes at a delicate time for the agency. The recent death of a female officer during a “show-of-force” drill in Abuja has cast a shadow over the Corps’ training protocols. Critics argue that despite Audi’s academic credentials, the agency still struggles with accidental discharges and logistical failures. The next five years will require more than just administrative reform; Audi must prove that the NSCDC can operate with the precision required of a frontline security outfit.
The financial implications of this reappointment are also significant. Under Audi’s first term, the Corps secured increased budgetary allocations for surveillance equipment and personnel welfare. With a renewed mandate, he is expected to oversee the full deployment of the “Safe Schools” initiative, a multi-billion-naira project aimed at protecting educational institutions from mass abductions. Success in this area will be the true yardstick of his legacy.
As Audi resumes his duties on Monday, the expectations from Aso Rock remain high. The President has made it known that “stability” is no longer enough; he demands a Corps that can actively deter the internal threats currently paralysing parts of the federation. Audi has five years to turn the NSCDC from a supportive paramilitary group into a pillar of Nigeria’s internal defence. The clock, and the President’s patience, start now.