Tinubu renews Audi’s tenure as NSCDC Commandant-General

President Bola Tinubu has reappointed Ahmed Abubakar Audi as the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for a fresh five-year term.

The reappointment, which took effect on Friday, February 27, renews Dr Audi’s leadership of the paramilitary agency following the expiration of his initial tenure. He was first appointed to the position in 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Audi’s first term ended last Friday as he participated in activities marking the 2026 World Civil Defence Day at the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja. He is expected to resume duties on Monday under the renewed mandate.

President Tinubu, in a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, charged the NSCDC chief to reposition the corps to play a more prominent role in strengthening national security, especially as the Nigeria Police Force steps up operations against banditry, kidnapping and terrorism nationwide.

Born on September 30, 1967, in Laminga Town, Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Audi began his educational journey in the state before attending Teachers’ College, Jengre, Plateau State, where he obtained a Teachers’ Grade II Certificate in 1987.

He later earned a Nigeria Certificate in Education from the College of Education, Akwanga, in 1992 and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Physical and Health Education from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1995. Audi went on to secure a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Calabar in 2001, a PhD in Public Administration from Nasarawa State University, Keffi, in 2014, and 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. He later served in various state commands before his promotion to Commandant in 2007 and deployment to the Office of the Commandant-General at the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja.

The presidency said the renewed tenure underscores the administration’s commitment to strengthening the country’s security architecture.