... SPSP President Pledges Support for Police Reform, Stronger Collaboration on National Security
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has charged top police commanders across the country to embrace innovative and adaptive leadership to confront Nigeria’s rapidly evolving security threats.
Speaking at the opening of the Executive Capacity Building Workshop for Top Leadership of the Nigeria Police Force, held at the Police Resource Centre, Abuja, on Monday, the IGP emphasized the urgent need for speed, foresight, and creativity in responding to modern security challenges.
“Conflicts no longer wait. Neither can we,” the police chief declared. “Security challenges no longer unfold at a measured pace; they emerge suddenly, evolve rapidly, and persist stubbornly. If we must win, our leadership must be faster, sharper, and more innovative than the threats we confront.”
The one-day workshop, organized in partnership with the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP), is themed “Managing Fast-Paced Security Challenges in a Protracted Conflict Environment.”
IGP Egbetokun described the theme as timely, stressing that modern-day policing requires more than courage. According to him, criminal groups, including terrorist networks and organized crime syndicates, have become highly adaptive, leveraging technology and transnational networks to expand their reach.
"We face adversaries who are persistent and adaptive. Terrorist networks rebrand to avoid defeat, local conflicts spill across borders, and criminal syndicates exploit technology to spread their influence,” he said.
“This complexity demands leadership that combines patience with speed, endurance with imagination, and strategy with unshakable resolve.”
SpyeTV News reports that the training, tailored for senior officers, will address four key areas: Conflict Analysis and Response Strategies for policing in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environment, Conflict-Sensitive Decision-Making to avoid exacerbating tensions during operations, Strengthening Early Warning and Early Response (EW/ER) capabilities, and Linking Conflict Early Warning Systems to Policy Development for proactive security planning.
IGP Egbetokun stressed that these topics were not theoretical but practical leadership tools that would help commanders make informed decisions, manage crises effectively, and inspire confidence among their subordinates and the Nigerian public.
The police chief underscored that the ultimate goal of the workshop was to transform the Nigeria Police Force into an agile, bold, and unified institution capable of anticipating and neutralizing threats before they escalate.
“Our success will not be measured by the brilliance of one commander or the courage of a few units,” he stated. “It will be defined by the strength of our collective capacity to anticipate threats, respond as one, and deliver security that Nigerians can see and feel every day.”
Egbetokun urged participants to ensure that the workshop translates into actionable reforms within the Force.
"This must not end as a series of lectures and notes. It must produce a shift in mindset, a recalibration of strategy, and a renewal of commitment,” he charged. “Every insight must become an action, and every action must strengthen the chain of security that binds our nation together.”
The IGP commended the Society for Peace Studies and Practice for partnering with the Police to organize the workshop. He lauded the vision of Professor Isaac Olawale Albert, described as the “Father of Peace,” as well as the leadership of Professor Suleiman Elias Bogoro, Chairman of SPSP’s Board of Trustees, and Mr. Nathaniel Msen Awuapila, the current President of the society.
Egbetokun urged participants to seize the opportunity for growth and transformation. “I charge you not merely to attend this workshop, but to be transformed by it,” he said. “Let every lesson you gain here become a weapon in your armoury and every decision you take henceforth a testament to the leader you have chosen to become.”
He then formally declared the workshop open, expressing confidence that it would leave the Force better equipped to tackle Nigeria’s fast-paced and complex security challenges.
In his remarks, the President of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP), Mr. Nathaniel Msen Awuapila, FSPSP, has reaffirmed the Society’s commitment to supporting the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in building a proactive and intelligence-driven institution capable of addressing Nigeria’s complex security challenges.
Speaking at the opening of the Pro Bono Executive Capacity Building Workshop for the top echelon of the Police Force held at the Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja, Mr. Awuapila described the workshop as a transformative initiative designed to reposition the NPF as a catalyst for peace, justice, and national cohesion.
He stressed that the programme was not just another training session, but a deliberate investment in visionary and ethical leadership that will enable senior officers to navigate today’s rapidly evolving security landscape.
Mr. Awuapila highlighted that the workshop is aligned with the policing vision of IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, which prioritizes adherence to legal frameworks, proactive crime prevention, technological innovation, and strong inter-agency collaboration.
He noted that the initiative also resonates with Nigeria’s National Security Strategy, the Police Reform Agenda, and global peacebuilding frameworks, underscoring a shared commitment to institutional excellence and principled governance. According to him, the sessions, which include expert presentations, case studies, and interactive dialogues, will provide senior police leaders with the tools to lead with integrity, operational foresight, and strategic impact.
The SPSP President expressed deep appreciation to the Nigeria Police Force for its trust and partnership, describing the collaboration as a solemn responsibility. He commended the leadership of the Society, including its Board of Trustees Chairman, Professor Suleiman Elias Bogoro, and its Founder, Professor Isaac Olawale Albert, for their contributions to advancing peace studies and practice in Nigeria. Mr. Awuapila urged participants to fully engage in the workshop and translate the insights gained into actionable reforms that will strengthen policing, foster national security, and deliver sustainable peace to communities across the country.
The event was attended by senior police officers, security experts, and members of SPSP, marking a significant step in strengthening leadership and strategic response within the Nigeria Police Force.