The Presidential Committee on the Overhaul and Revamp of Training Institutions for Security Agencies conducted an inspection of the abandoned Nigeria Police Training School in Nonwa-Tai, Rivers State.
The visit is part of a nationwide assessment ordered by President Bola Tinubu to evaluate and restore police and NSCDC training institutions across Nigeria.
During the inspection, the committee observed vandalised buildings, broken classrooms and offices, and overgrown parade grounds.
These conditions highlighted years of neglect and the urgent need for rehabilitation to provide proper training environments for security personnel.
Governor Peter Mbah, chairman of the committee, stated that the team was collaborating with consultants to prepare a detailed bill of quantities.
Governor Mbah emphasised that nothing short of a complete overhaul is sufficient, given the poor state of the facilities.
He noted that training 30,000 new police recruits under such conditions is impractical.
Governor Fubara described the visit as a step toward restoring professionalism and morale within the police force, while Governor Abiodun revealed that the committee has only one month to submit its report.
The committee included prominent figures such as Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, retired Inspector General of Police Usman Alkali Baba, and Assistant Inspector General of Police Olatunji Disu. Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State accompanied the committee during the visit.
This document will guide the comprehensive refurbishment of training schools nationwide, ensuring all necessary repairs and upgrades are included.
The presence of these senior officials underscored the seriousness of the initiative and the government’s commitment to addressing national security challenges through proper institutional reform.
The team has split into two groups to cover northern and southern training centers, ensuring a thorough nationwide evaluation.
The Nonwa-Tai Police Training School was established in the 1970s and last trained recruits in 2022.
The poor state of this facility mirrors conditions at other training centers in Lagos, Jos, and Maiduguri.
The committee’s findings reflect the broader infrastructural decay within Nigeria’s security training institutions.
President Tinubu’s directive and the committee’s inspection demonstrate strong political will to improve security training facilities.
The planned rehabilitation aimed to modernise infrastructure, enhance training conditions, boost personnel morale, and strengthen national security by ensuring that police and security officers are adequately prepared.
