The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu has made a bold case for stronger investment in police training and education, urging the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, to deepen its support for police institutions as part of efforts to modernize law enforcement in Nigeria.
Disu made the call on Thursday during a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, in Abuja, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration in security education, institutional development and professional training.
The IGP stressed that better policing cannot be achieved without better education, describing training and knowledge acquisition as critical to the Nigeria Police Force’s ability to discharge its constitutional duties effectively.
“We realize that we cannot do our job without education,” he said, noting that many of the public complaints against the police could be traced to deficiencies in training and professional development.
He said the engagement with TETFund forms part of ongoing police reforms aimed at building a more professional, research-driven and technology-oriented force.
Disu commended TETFund for its interventions at the Nigeria Police Academy, saying the support had significantly improved academic infrastructure, research capacity, staff development and the overall standard of education at the institution.
He also highlighted the establishment of a new campus of the Nigeria Police Academy in Ogun State as a major step in the force’s modernization drive.
According to him, the new campus is being positioned to deliver specialized and technology-driven policing programmes in areas such as forensic science, criminology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data analytics and drone operations.
“You cannot do good policing without wonderful forensic officers and forensic departments,” he said. “We need specialists and criminologists because crimes are becoming more sophisticated.”
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The IGP emphasized that modern policing now depends heavily on research, scientific methods and predictive intelligence, adding that the force is already deploying officers trained in artificial intelligence and drone operations.
He appealed for sustained TETFund support for critical infrastructure and development needs at the new academy campus, including lecture theatres, laboratories, ICT facilities, libraries, research centres, student accommodation and staff development programmes.
Disu also assured TETFund of transparency and accountability in the use of all interventions tied to the institution.
In response, TETFund Executive Secretary Sonny Echono praised the IGP’s leadership and reform efforts, describing him as a seasoned officer with an impressive record of service.
Echono said the Nigeria Police Academy in Wudil had remained one of the institutions benefiting from TETFund interventions, particularly in personnel training and institutional support.
He disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved the establishment of the new Police Academy campus in Ogun State and that TETFund had already released funds for take-off facilities.
He added that a joint team from TETFund and the Nigeria Police Force would soon undertake inspection and assessment visits to identify the immediate developmental needs of the new campus.
Echono advised the police authorities to ensure the institution attains full university status as quickly as possible so it can qualify for direct annual disbursements and more sustainable funding from TETFund.
“The moment you develop it to a point where it becomes self-sustaining, it will get sustainable funding from us every year,” he said.
He further assured the police of continued support for academic staff training, specialized professional courses and capacity-building programmes needed to respond to emerging security threats.
Echono also underscored the growing role of technology in modern crime, warning that criminal groups are increasingly using sophisticated tools in their operations. “
The only way we can keep pace with the evolution of crime is to continually train serving officers through continuous professional development and specialization,” he said.
He pledged TETFund’s support for specialized security-related training programmes and
stressed the need for stronger collaboration with the police in protecting schools and other educational institutions from kidnapping and related threats.
Describing the visit as historic, Echono noted that it was the first time a serving Inspector-General of Police had visited TETFund headquarters during his tenure as Executive Secretary.
“We will not forget the significance of this day, and we will reflect that in what we can support you,” he added.
