A two day workshop on Strenghtening Institutional capacity for effective Police oversight for Board Members, Directors and Heads of Departments and Units of the Police Service Commission has ended in Abuja.

The two day workshop was a product of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as part of its supporting Police Accountability and Transformation Project (SPAAT). It was also organised with further support from the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) in recognition of the Commission as a critical institution for ensuring a rights-based, transparent, and accountable policing system.

The workshop titled “Strenghtening Institutional capacity for effective Police oversight served as a Strategic entry point, aligning directly with broader democratic governance and security Reforms in Nigeria. The two day workshop focused on internal governance and Public accountability.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd mni, said the new Governing Board has brought positive innovations in the management of the Commission.

DIG Argungu said the Board was committed to making genuine sacrifices to make the Commission work not only for the nation but also for the Staff component.

He said the Commission belongs to all, (management and staff) stressing that if the staff do not individually care for the progress of the organisation, “then the PSC is in trouble”.

He said the Governing Board will do its best to put the Commission in the right global best practices and noted that they will remain open to entertain constructive criticism.

DIG Argungu said there was need for the Management and staff to continue to share ideas since, according to him, the Commission, is “bigger than any of us”

Also speaking at the closing Ceremony, Justice Paul Adamu Galumje, retired Justice of the Supreme Court and Honourable Commissioner representing the Judiciary in the Commission said the participants are returning to work galvanised to make a difference and help the Commission meet the expectations of Nigerians. ” We are here for two days, and we are now fully prepared to do our work”. He thanked the President for appointing them to serve the nation in these capacities and paid glowing tributes to the Chairmen of both the Senate Committe on Police Affairs and House of Representatives Committee on Police Institutions.

Napoleon Enayaba, Representative of the United Nations Development Programme, pledged the continued partnership of UNDP and the Commission stressing ” I can see commitment in this Board”. He also commended the commitment of staff at the workshop and noted that serving the people requires dynamism . ” We remain committed to this journey with the Commission”, he declared.

The two day workshop had seven paper presentations, which included; Understanding the PSC mandate and Legal framework with DIG Argungu as facilitator; Strenghtening Oversight and Accountability in the Police Force with Dr. Otiver Igbuzor, former PSC Board Member as facilitator; Effective Policy Implementation for Recruitment, Promotion and Discipline; with Ms Ime Olufunmilayo Enang as facilitator and Strenghtening Institutional Governance and Performance Management with Dr. Joe Abah, former Director General of Bureau of Public Reforms as facilitator.

There were also sessions on Enhancing Complaints Management and Public Trust, facilitated by Ms Odinaka Lagi, Programme Director NULAI; Digital Transformation for Effective Police oversight facilitated by Dr. Amina Sambo’Magaji, AI expert and Funding, Partnerships and Sustainability strategies facilitated by Mr. Sean Tait, Executive Director, APCOF.