Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, are among those physically attending the meeting, which started at 09:00 GMT.

Also in attendance are former Nigerian leaders, retired Generals Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsallami Abubakar as well as former President Goodluck Jonathan.

State Governors physically present at the virtual meeting are Dr Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Atiku Bagudu Kebbi, Nasir El-Rufai, Kaduna, Abdullahi Ganduje, Kano, Hope Uzodinma, Imo, Abubakar Badaru, Jigawa and Bello Matawale, of Zamfara.

Other members of the Council are attending virtually form their various offices across the country.

The meeting is expected to review the current security situation of the country as well as the forthcoming national census.

The Council of State, which also comprises the President of the Senate Speaker, House of Representatives, and former Chief Justices of Nigeria, is an organ that advises the executive arm on major policy matters.

At the opening of the meeting, a minute silence was observed in honour of a former Nigerian interim leader, Earnest Shinekan, who died on 11th January, 2022.

Details of today’s meeting are expected to emerge at the end of the closed session, when journalists are expected to be briefed on decisions reached.