In a bold move aimed at addressing public concerns over police conduct, the Inspector General of Police (I-G), Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, unveiled plans on Tuesday to introduce special training programmes that will focus on policing ethics, professional conduct, and re-orientation.
The initiative, set to begin in January 2025, will make these courses mandatory for all officers, from recruits to superintendents, as part of efforts to enhance accountability within the Nigeria Police Force.
Egbetokun made the announcement during his address at the National Summit on Police Accountability, which took place in Abuja.
The summit, held in collaboration with the Cleen Foundation and supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), aimed to address the multifaceted challenges facing the police force in maintaining internal and external accountability.
The police chief emphasized that these new training courses are a strategic step towards improving policing standards in Nigeria.
“The Nigeria Police Force is committed to enhancing the training and retraining of its officers,” Egbetokun said.
The training will not only focus on professional conduct but also on instilling values of integrity, transparency, and respect for human rights—key elements necessary to restore public trust in the force.
The mandatory courses will span a wide range of subjects, including alternative dispute resolution, peacebuilding, and conflict resolution mechanisms.
These topics are designed to better equip officers with the skills needed to navigate complex social issues while ensuring the protection of citizens’ rights.
In addition to the internal training programmes, Egbetokun announced that the police force had partnered with several organizations, including the Society for Peace Study and Practice, to provide officers with specialized education on non-violent conflict resolution.
Furthermore, officers will be required to attend refresher courses and other training sessions, sponsored by zonal and international partners, to stay updated on global best practices in law enforcement.
Mr. Peter Maduoma, Acting Executive Director of the Cleen Foundation, spoke at the summit, underscoring that effective policing is not just about enforcing laws but also about ensuring that police officers adhere to the highest standards of ethics and human rights.
He called for greater collaboration between the police and civil society organizations to ensure that policing is conducted with respect for citizens’ dignity.
Dr. Etannibi Alemika, the guest speaker at the summit, further emphasized the importance of an independent police force.
He argued that the establishment of independent oversight mechanisms is critical for enhancing police accountability and ensuring that the force operates with greater transparency.
This call for a more autonomous and accountable police force comes at a time when many Nigerians have expressed concerns over police brutality and corruption within the ranks.
By strengthening internal mechanisms for accountability, the Nigerian Police Force aims to bridge the trust gap between law enforcement and the public.
With these sweeping changes in training and conduct, the Nigeria Police Force is signaling a clear shift toward improved accountability.
While challenges remain, the new focus on ethics and professionalism marks a significant step toward transforming the force into a more effective and respected institution.
As the mandatory training begins in January, the nation will be watching closely to see how these changes impact policing on the ground and whether they can truly transform the relationship between the police and the people they serve.