President Bola Tinubu has approved the reappointment of Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi as the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for a second and final five-year term.
The renewal, which officially took effect on Friday, February 27, 2026, ensures leadership stability within the paramilitary agency following the expiration of Audi's initial mandate. The announcement was contained in a statement released on Saturday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
President Tinubu has specifically charged the Commandant-General to reposition the Corps as a primary pillar of Nigeria’s internal security architecture. This directive aligns with a broader federal strategy to allow the Nigeria Police Force to refocus its resources on combating high-level threats such as banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism.
According to the presidency, the NSCDC under Audi’s renewed leadership is expected to play a more strategic role in intelligence gathering and community-based security interventions. The President emphasised that the Corps must deepen its commitment to protecting critical national assets and infrastructure across the federation.
"He will resume his duties on Monday with a renewed mandate," Onanuga stated, noting that the extension coincides with activities commemorating the 2026 World Civil Defence Day. The presidency expressed confidence that the extension would bolster the "Renewed Hope" agenda by strengthening the institutions responsible for public safety.
A veteran of the service, Audi joined the NSCDC as a volunteer in 1996 and rose through the ranks over three decades.