The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, has reiterated the commitment of the ministry to establish mechanisms to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the police reform roadmap.
Gaidam spoke at the stakeholders’ engagement on police reforms in Abuja, attended by the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, and the Director-General of the Institute of Police Studies.
Others present at the engagement included representatives of the National Security Adviser, Nigeria Police Force, and Nigeria Correctional Service. Also present were representatives of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, CLEEN Foundation, and United Nations Development Partners (UNDP).
A statement issued at the weekend by Bolaji Kazeem, the Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, said the ministry would coordinate donor support strategically to prevent duplication of efforts, optimise the convergence of assistance, and ensure the judicious allocation of resources to identified priorities in our police development plan.
“This event aligns with our unwavering commitment to fulfilling the mandate set forth by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reform the Nigeria Police in accordance with global best practices. Furthermore, we will actively promote adherence to the principles of trust and confidence, which are indispensable to successful policing.
“The reform of our police force is not just a task but a crucial priority for the current administration. As the primary responsibility assigned to the Ministry of Police Affairs by President Tinubu’s administration in October 2023, the National Security Adviser, the Minister of Police Affairs, and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission were directed to develop a comprehensive blueprint for the sustainable reform of the Nigeria Police Force.
“This mandate reflects the administration’s recognition of the urgent need for transformation within our policing system.
“This initiative is designed to reshape the narrative surrounding police reforms in Nigeria, aiming to move beyond the rhetoric that has characterised past efforts,” he stressed.
Gaidam stated that the core objective of the stakeholders’ engagement was to initiate a series of meaningful conversations aimed at building a multi-party, cross-societal consensus on police reforms.
He said: “We recognise that true change cannot occur in isolation; it requires the involvement of various segments of society. By engaging different stakeholders, we aim to educate the general public about the intricacies of policing.
“This education is essential for fostering the consensus needed to create a nationally owned reform blueprint that will create a clear and actionable path forward that resonates with the realities of our society.”
Gaidam assured that the stakeholders’ engagement would not be a one-time event, but would run throughout the entire reform process, noting that public opinion must be sought and valued at every stage of the initiative to ensure that the reforms reflect the needs and aspirations of the communities they serve.
In her remarks, the German ambassador to Nigeria, Annet Gunther, stated that the German government has significantly invested in strengthening police training by refurbishing and equipping training facilities in Lagos, Enugu, Abuja, and Kaduna.
Over 1,000 police trainers have been trained in modern, adult-oriented learning techniques, specialised training in leadership, human rights, crisis communication, and gender-sensitive policing.
She said: “Through our work with civil society organisations and national institutions, we have promoted key governance reforms, such as the establishment of the Police Transformation and Reform Office (PORTO), now succeeded by the Police Reform Secretariat, which drives the reform agenda forward.”
