President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the reappointment of Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi as the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for another five-year term, reaffirming confidence in his leadership at a critical time in the nation’s security landscape.
The renewal, which took effect on Friday, February 27, 2026, was announced in a statement on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
According to the statement, Tinubu charged Audi to “reposition the service to play a more significant role in the country’s security architecture,” especially as the police refocus on their “primary responsibility of protecting citizens from bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists.”
“The President expects the NSCDC under Audi’s leadership to strengthen its operational capacity and deepen its collaboration with other security agencies in safeguarding critical national assets and infrastructure,” the statement read.
Audi, who was first appointed in 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, concluded his initial five-year tenure last Friday. He marked the milestone while participating in activities commemorating the 2026 World Civil Defence Day at the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja.
He is expected to formally resume duties on Monday with what the Presidency described as a “renewed mandate to consolidate reforms and enhance service delivery.”
Tinubu’s directive underscores ongoing efforts to recalibrate Nigeria’s internal security framework, with the NSCDC expected to assume a more robust complementary role to the Nigeria Police Force.
Born on September 30, 1967, in Laminga Town, Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Audi’s career trajectory reflects a steady rise through the ranks of the Corps.
He began his educational journey in Nasarawa State before earning a Teachers’ Grade II Certificate from Teachers’ College, Jengre, Plateau State, in 1987. He later obtained a Nigeria Certificate in Education from the College of Education, Akwanga, in 1992.
Driven by academic ambition, he proceeded to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical and Health Education in 1995. He subsequently obtained a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Calabar in 2001.
In 2014, Audi earned a PhD in Public Administration from Nasarawa State University, Keffi, and later secured a Master’s in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice from Ahmadu Bello University in 2019.
Audi joined the NSCDC as a volunteer in November 1996 and was deployed as a Divisional Officer in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State after completing his basic officer training in 1997.
His career progression saw him serve across various state commands before his promotion to the rank of Commandant of the Corps in 2007. He was subsequently deployed to the Office of the Commandant-General at the National Headquarters in Abuja, laying the groundwork for his eventual ascent to the Corps’ top position.
With his tenure now extended, expectations are high that the NSCDC will further strengthen its mandate in protecting critical infrastructure, supporting counter-insurgency operations, and enhancing civil defence operations nationwide.
