The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, says shortcomings in policing and rising public complaints against officers are largely driven by gaps in education and professional training within the Nigeria Police Force.
He made the remarks during a visit to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) headquarters in Abuja, where he advocated stronger academic and technical capacity for police officers to meet modern security challenges.
According to the IGP, effective policing today requires more than traditional training, stressing that officers must be equipped with specialised knowledge in forensic science, criminology, cyber security, data analytics, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
He said the force is working to shift toward a more scientific and intelligence-driven policing system, rather than relying on guesswork or outdated methods.
“Policing is no longer about stereotypes. We need education to guide our operations.
Without forensic experts and specialists, we cannot effectively solve modern crimes,” he said.
The police chief warned that poor educational grounding among officers contributes to operational errors and public mistrust, adding that professional development is key to rebuilding confidence in law enforcement.
He cited past experiences where profiling based on appearance led to incorrect assumptions about individuals, stressing the importance of training that promotes accuracy, fairness, and evidence-based investigations.
The IGP also revealed that the Nigeria Police Force is introducing modern tools such as drones for surveillance operations, artificial intelligence for crime prediction, and advanced data systems to track and analyse criminal patterns, particularly during high-risk periods such as the festive “ember months.”
He noted that these reforms are part of broader efforts to modernise policing and align Nigeria’s security architecture with global standards.
A key part of the reform agenda, he said, is the development of the new Nigeria Police Academy located in Erinja, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, which is expected to serve as a centre for advanced police education and training.
The IGP appealed to TETFUND for continued financial and technical support to develop critical infrastructure at the academy, including lecture halls, laboratories, ICT facilities, libraries, and staff training programmes.
In response, the Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Arc. Sonny Echono, pledged the organisation’s support for the project, describing it as aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to strengthen the capacity of the police through education and institutional reform.
He said a joint inspection team would soon assess the needs of the new academy to fast-track its development and ensure effective implementation.
Echono also expressed optimism that the institution could be upgraded to full university status in the future, which would allow it to become self-sustaining and eligible for direct funding support.
The engagement highlights ongoing efforts to reposition the Nigeria Police Force through education-driven reforms aimed at improving professionalism, accountability, and public trust in security operations.
