President Bola Tinubu has summoned a joint meeting of the Council of State and Police Council to discuss national security and policing reforms, reaffirming his commitment to establishing state police.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has summoned a strategic meeting involving the Council of State and the Police Council to deliberate on pressing national issues, particularly those related to security and policing.
The development was announced in a statement released on Monday by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.
According to the statement, signed by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations in the SGF’s office, the meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 9, 2025, and will be held at the Council Chambers, Aso Villa, Abuja.
Dr Emanso Okop Umobong, Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office, noted that the meeting aims to discuss matters of national importance and key issues affecting national security and policing.
Meeting Schedule and Participation
The statement outlined the meeting details as follows:
- Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
- Meeting with the Council of State: 1:00 p.m.
- Meeting with the Police Council: 2:00 p.m.
- Venue: Council Chambers, Aso Villa
Members have been requested to participate either physically or virtually, reflecting the administration’s commitment to inclusivity and efficiency in governance.
Strengthening National Security
The high-level meeting underscores President Tinubu’s commitment to addressing national security challenges and ensuring the safety and stability of the country.
It comes just weeks after the President reaffirmed his administration’s plan to establish State Police, describing it as an unavoidable step in strengthening the fight against insecurity across Nigeria.
During a recent meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, with a delegation of prominent Katsina indigenes led by Governor Dikko Radda, Tinubu directed security agencies to reassess their strategies in Katsina State, which has been severely affected by banditry and rural violence.
Deployment of Advanced Security Technology
President Tinubu also disclosed plans to deploy advanced military equipment, including drones and surveillance technology, to enhance intelligence gathering and operational efficiency.
He further revealed that newly recruited forest guards would undergo enhanced training to improve their capacity to combat criminal activities in forests and rural communities.
Renewed Focus on Security Governance
The upcoming joint meeting of the Council of State and Police Council is expected to produce strategic policy directions on policing reforms, inter-agency coordination, and the implementation of the proposed state policing framework.
The Council of State, which includes former Presidents, Vice Presidents, and key national leaders, serves as an advisory body to the President on matters of national importance. The Police Council, on the other hand, is responsible for policy formulation and oversight of the Nigeria Police Force.
By convening both councils simultaneously, President Tinubu aims to foster synergy among federal and state actors in addressing Nigeria’s complex security challenges.