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The Association of Alumni of the National Institute (AANI) has renewed calls for a far-reaching overhaul of Nigeria’s policing system, advocating a decentralized, intelligence-led and community-based approach to addressing the nation’s persistent security challenges.
This position emerged as the key outcome of the 46th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and National Colloquium of the AANI held at the Muhammadu Buhari Conference Centre, Abuja.
The event, themed: “State Policing and Community Policing: Challenges, Options and Opportunities,” attracted a wide range of stakeholders from across the country.
Participants included senior security and intelligence officials, representatives of the Zamfara and Sokoto state governments and key federal institutions.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation was represented by Professor Babatunde Bolaji. Also, the Inspector General of Police was represented by Deputy Inspector General Aisha Abubakar; the Chief of Staff of the Army represented by Colonel Jubril; the Chief of Naval Staff by Navy Captain Hassan Yusuf; and Dr. Bakeji’s intelligence community, among others.
In his opening remarks, AANI President, Ambassador Emmanuel Obi Okafor, mni, said Nigeria’s prolonged security challenges, including banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and organized crime, have exposed weaknesses in the country’s centralized policing structure.
The President underlined the urgent need for practical and decisive reforms.
During the keynote address, Professor Femi Mimiko, mni, described Nigeria’s single-tier policing system as excessive and inconsistent with federal principles. He argued that an effective security framework must be multi-level and responsive to local realities.
According to him, intelligence gaps, manpower shortages and excessive centralization have significantly weakened the effectiveness of the police, making comprehensive reform inevitable.
Professor Mimiko mni added that a properly structured state police system, supported by strong institutional safeguards, would improve responsiveness, accountability and public trust.
Also speaking, the Federation’s Head of Civil Service, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, appreciated the AANI for convening the forum and commended its leadership for advocating for a platform for national strategic dialogue.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Mukhtar Mohammed, MFR, mni, reaffirmed the vital role of security in national development and pledged support for the implementation of the meeting’s outcomes.
“I am confident that the robust discussions of this colloquium will generate practical insights and actionable recommendations to enrich ongoing conversations and guide informed decision-making,” she said.
Discussing the flagship document, the retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Adeleye Oyebade, mni, proposed a hybrid policing model that integrates state and community policing, while retaining the Nigeria Police Force as the central coordinating authority.
The retired police chief noted that such a framework would ensure uniform standards and improve rapid response to basic security threats.
Also discussing kenote’s document, Brigadier General Abdulrahman Idris, MNI, underlined the need for a holistic approach to security, stressing that effective policing goes beyond enforcement.
He highlighted the importance of public trust, community collaboration and managing socio-economic issues such as unemployment and social exclusion.
The colloquium’s deliberations identified key concerns, including the structural and institutional shortcomings of the policing system, the importance of community trust and intelligence gathering, and the need to integrate legal, operational, and socioeconomic strategies into reform efforts.
AANI reaffirmed its role as a policy think tank committed to providing evidence-based recommendations to support government initiatives in addressing national security challenges.
The association announced that the results of the General Assembly and the colloquium will be harmonized in a statement and in strategic policy proposals for the competent authorities.
As insecurity continues to dominate the national discourse, AANI has warned that incremental measures are no longer enough, instead calling for bold, comprehensive reforms to secure the nation’s future.
The event also featured goodwill messages from various security agencies, while participants made contributions during interactive sessions.
