President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has held his first strategic meeting with the newly appointed Service Chiefs, setting the tone for a renewed drive to strengthen Nigeria’s national security framework.
The high-level session, which took place behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, came just days after the President approved sweeping changes in the military hierarchy.
The shake-up is seen as part of a broader effort to inject fresh energy and discipline into the nation’s security architecture.
According to credible sources at the State House, the meeting focused on aligning the new service heads with the administration’s security objectives, particularly in the areas of counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, and joint operations.
Those present included the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Major-General Waheedi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke; and Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas. The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General Emmanuel Undiendeye, who continues in his role, also attended.
While the Presidency did not disclose specific directives issued during the meeting, insiders said Tinubu emphasised results-driven coordination among the security agencies to restore stability in troubled regions.
“The President made it clear that Nigerians expect nothing short of excellence from their armed forces,” a senior official familiar with the discussions stated. “He wants proactive strategies, not reactive responses.”
A security analyst, Musa Adetiba, described the engagement as “a defining moment for the new chiefs,” noting that Tinubu’s approach suggests a more hands-on leadership style in tackling insecurity.
“This meeting signals that the President is taking personal responsibility for shaping the next phase of Nigeria’s security operations,” Adetiba said. “He’s setting the benchmark early.”
The newly appointed military chiefs are expected to unveil a coordinated plan of action in the coming weeks, focusing on intelligence-led operations and community-based security partnerships.
With this latest move, Tinubu’s administration appears poised to recalibrate Nigeria’s defence priorities and reinforce public confidence in the country’s fight against insecurity.