Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah on Tuesday announced the commencement of a nationwide assessment of security and police training institutions, marking the first phase of the federal government’s plan to overhaul Nigeria’s security training infrastructure.
The initiative follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency on security training institutions and the establishment of a National Economic Council Committee to drive reforms.
“Today in Lagos, we… commenced a nationwide assessment tour of Nigeria’s police and security training facilities,” Mbah said. “This marks a critical first step in implementing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bold declaration of emergency on these institutions.”
Mbah, who chairs the recently inaugurated committee, emphasized the urgency of transforming the country’s security training environment to meet modern standards.
“You cannot build a 21st-century security architecture with 20th-century tools, nor can you train defenders of our peace in decayed, inhumane environments,” he stated. “The President is unequivocal: we must restore pride, professionalism, and confidence in our security forces, starting from the classrooms and training grounds where they are molded.”
The committee includes governors from Kaduna, Ogun, Taraba, Akwa Ibom, Zamfara, and Nasarawa, with former Inspector-General of Police Baba Usman serving as secretary.
According to Mbah, the committee has 30 days to submit “a clear and actionable roadmap” for upgrading facilities and training standards nationwide. He added that the reform will introduce modern technologies and methods into Nigeria’s security training system.
“From AI and robotics to advanced policing techniques, this intervention will equip our 30,000 incoming recruits, and all serving personnel, with the skills needed to protect Nigerians in an evolving digital world,” he said.
