As Nigeria continues to confront evolving security challenges, experts and senior police officers have emphasized the need for a policing system anchored on technology, integrity, and professionalism.
This position was underscored during the closing session of the 2025 Strategic Lecture Series at the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, where participants and facilitators called for deeper reforms in training and leadership development within the Nigeria Police Force.
Delivering the keynote lecture, former Commandant of the Academy, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG Zannah M. Ibrahim, psc, mni, noted that the future of policing depends on how well the institution integrates information and communication technology (ICT) into its operations while upholding transparency and ethical discipline.
According to him, “Professionalism without integrity will erode public trust, and technology without moral guidance will not make policing better.What Nigeria needs now is a combination of competence, ethics, and digital intelligence.”
The lecture, attended by cadets and senior officers, also explored the impact of globalization on crime, the need for data-driven policing, and the importance of citizen partnership in law enforcement.
Current Commandant of the Academy, AIG Patrick A. Atayero, said the Academy has prioritized training reforms that reflect these realities, emphasizing a shift from routine enforcement to knowledge-based policing.
“We are building officers who are not only brave in the field but also informed, strategic, and emotionally intelligent,” he stated.
He also commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun for supporting ongoing curriculum upgrades, infrastructural renewal, and leadership mentoring for cadets.
Observers at the event said the lecture underscored critical issues confronting police development ranging from underfunding and manpower gaps to the need for continuous training in cybersecurity, intelligence gathering, and community engagement.
They noted that Nigeria’s security future will depend on how effectively institutions like the Police Academy adapt to global best practices and equip officers with modern tools for prevention and investigation rather than reaction.
As the Strategic Lecture Series ended, cadets pledged commitment to uphold professionalism and integrity, while the Academy reaffirmed its mission to produce a new generation of officers grounded in ethics, innovation, and national service.
Reporting by Niran Odufayo