By Felix Khanoba
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to reforming the Nigeria Police Force through strategic investments in education, as plans advance to establish a southern campus of the Police Academy in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Monday during a high-level meeting in Abuja with the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and other senior police officers, describing the initiative as a key pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s security agenda.
A statement signed by Special Adviser (Media and Communications) to the minister, Ikharo Attah, said Alausa stated that the President remains focused on repositioning the police through capacity building and institutional strengthening.
“This meeting is in continuation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda to reposition the police to deliver on its core mandate and improve security across the country,” he said.
The meeting, which also had in attendance senior police leadership, centred on the infrastructure design and physical planning of the proposed Police Academy campus in Erije, Abeokuta.
The minister noted that the Nigeria Police Force has continued to play a vital role in national stability and deserves broad-based support to function effectively.
According to him, the Federal Government is accelerating efforts to ensure the new campus becomes operational within a short timeline.
He directed the National Universities Commission (NUC) to expedite resource verification processes, noting that the President wants the institution to commence academic activities soon.
“The intent of the president for the courses is for the university to take off this year and admit the first set of students between September and November of 2026,” Alausa stated.
Beyond the new academy, discussions also focused on restructuring over 42 police colleges nationwide into monotechnics to enhance professional training and technical competence within the Force.
Alausa explained that the move is backed by a presidential waiver, allowing the transition without violating existing policy restrictions.
“There is an existing waiver from the president to make them use the techniques, so we are not breaching the seven-year moratorium,” he said.
He added that efforts are underway to accredit selected institutions to offer industry-relevant courses tailored to modern policing needs.
“The was also further conversation with the police on the need to accredit about five to six of those monotechnics to do industry-relevant areas of courses that police need to build capacity in,” he noted.
To fast-track implementation, three committees were established, covering resource verification, capacity building in police colleges, and infrastructure development for the new academy campus.
Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmed, commended the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention in strengthening national security through education.
She assured the police leadership of the ministry’s full support in ensuring the success of the project.
Also speaking, the Inspector-General of Police emphasised the central role of education in addressing challenges across sectors, including law enforcement.
“Education is key to solving problems in all sectors of human endeavors including the police,” he said, adding that the Force is determined to “bring courses that would impact personnel directly and national security.”
The planned Abeokuta campus is expected to expand training capacity and align police education with global standards, as the government intensifies efforts to modernise the Force.
