In a decisive move to revamp the nation’s security apparatus, the federal government has inaugurated a National Economic Council (NEC) Committee tasked with overhauling security training institutions across the country.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, who serves as chairman of the committee.
Governor Mbah explained that the committee’s formation predates the recent surge in security challenges, underscoring that its establishment was a proactive measure rather than a reactive response.
The seven-member panel includes governors from Enugu, Ogun, Akwa Ibom, Taraba, Nasarawa, Kaduna, and Zamfara states.
Former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Usman Alkali, served as the committee’s secretary.
The committee has been given a strict 30-day mandate to assess the state of all security training institutions, with particular emphasis on the police, and report its findings to the National Executive Council.
The committee has been divided into two groups, covering the northern and southern regions of the country.
Governor Mbah led the southern team, which on Tuesday began its inspection at the Police College, Ikeja, Lagos.
The team was confronted with the stark realities of institutional decay, including dilapidated buildings, nonfunctional electricity, and inadequate water supply.
During the visit, the college’s Commandant, Assistant Inspector General of Police Mrs. Omolara Oloruntola, disclosed that much of the infrastructure has remained unchanged since the college was established in 1949.
“Most of the structures are near collapse, and the lack of basic utilities severely hampers the learning environment,” she said.
Governor Mbah described the findings as consistent with President Bola Tinubu’s earlier observations.
“The President has personally approved the inauguration of this ad hoc committee to overhaul all police and Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps training institutions.
”This initiative aims to restore pride, professionalism, and public confidence in our security forces,” Mbah stated.
Highlighting the committee’s objectives, Mbah explained that the team of consultants accompanying them would perform a detailed assessment of what is required to rebuild, re-equip, and sustain the institutions.
“This is an urgent intervention. For instance, the President has approved the recruitment of 30,000 new police officers.
”However, without functional training facilities, this goal cannot be realized,” he noted.
Mbah also stressed the importance of modernising training programs. “We are looking at digitalising police training.
”Our men and women need 21st-century skills, including artificial intelligence, robotics, and mechatronics.
”Training them in outdated environments is unacceptable.”
He also linked the initiative to broader national development goals, noting that economic growth and private sector investment are contingent on a secure environment.
“This is a national mission. Restoring security training institutions is essential for creating a safe environment that encourages investment and growth,” Mbah added.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, co-chairman of the committee and governor of Ogun State, emphasised the urgency of the task.
“This is a presidential priority, which is why seven governors, alongside senior police officers, were appointed.
”We do not have the luxury of time. The committee has only 30 days to submit a comprehensive report, including cost estimates for the necessary interventions,” Abiodun said.
Both governors underscored that the initiative goes beyond infrastructure, stressing the need to update equipment and training curricula to align with contemporary security demands.
“We cannot continue to train our 21st-century police with 20th-century tools,” Abiodun noted.
The committee is expected to continue its inspections across both northern and southern training facilities in the coming weeks, with a view to presenting a detailed intervention plan to the National Executive Council.
