President Bola Ahmed Tinubu held a closed-door meeting on Monday with Nigeria’s newly appointed military leadership at the Presidential Villa, signaling a renewed push to tackle escalating insecurity across the country. 

In attendance were Chief of Defence Staff Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, the newly installed Service Chiefs, and the Chief of Defence Intelligence. While no official readout was released, sources within the Presidency described the meeting as a strategic alignment session focused on immediate national security priorities—particularly in the North-West and North-East, where banditry, insurgency, and kidnappings remain rampant.

The parley follows Tinubu’s October 24 announcement of major changes in military leadership, including Oluyede’s elevation and the retirement of former Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa. “This is in furtherance of efforts to enhance operational efficiency,” a presidency source said, echoing Tinubu’s directive for “professionalism and strengthened defenses.”

The overhaul, considered the most significant since 2023, aims to reinvigorate Nigeria’s counterinsurgency efforts amid criticism of stalled progress against groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP. Analysts suggest the timing—just ahead of November elections in states such as Anambra and Kogi—may also serve to reassure voters of the government’s commitment to security.

Though details of the meeting remain undisclosed, the Nigerian Army posted a message on X reaffirming its loyalty and unity under the Commander-in-Chief.

The meeting also highlights Tinubu’s pledge for “deepened collaboration” across security agencies, even as over 500 generals have retired since 2015 amid persistent threats.