The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has officially declared open a high-level Executive Leadership Retreat for senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force. The retreat, which brings together Deputy Inspectors-General (DIGs) and Assistant Inspectors-General (AIGs), represents a key step in the ongoing efforts to reposition and reform the Force.
The two-day retreat is being hosted in Abuja by the Police Reform Secretariat in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme, at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja. It is designed to strengthen leadership capacity and align senior officers with the strategic vision for a modern, accountable, and service-driven police institution.
Speaking during the session, Olu Ogunsakin, Head of the Police Reform Secretariat and Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), highlighted key achievements under the Supporting Police Accountability and Transformation (SPAT) programme. The initiative, supported by UNDP and the German Federal Foreign Office, has produced major reforms, including a revised national recruitment curriculum—the first comprehensive update since 1968—and the introduction of the Nigeria Police Regulations 2025, which emphasize professionalism and respect for human rights.
In his address, the IGP underscored the importance of the retreat as a platform for driving meaningful and sustainable reforms. He urged senior officers to demonstrate visionary leadership, uphold accountability, and inspire public trust, noting that their roles are critical to shaping the future of policing in Nigeria.
He further stressed that the success of the retreat would be measured by tangible improvements in operational effectiveness, discipline, and strict adherence to human rights standards across all police commands nationwide.
The retreat features a series of technical sessions focused on evidence-based budgeting, community policing, and digital transformation. These engagements reflect the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to evolving into a transparent, citizen-focused institution guided by the rule of law and global best practices.
As proceedings continue through March 25, the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force has expressed appreciation to the UNDP and other international partners for their continued support in strengthening Nigeria’s policing system and advancing institutional reforms.