As Nigeria steps into 2026, there is a cautious but growing optimism about the future of internal security. This optimism is not accidental; it is anchored on the clear vision, mission, and reform agenda of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun.
His determination to transform the Nigeria Police Force into a modern, technologically driven, people-oriented institution offers a credible pathway to a safer and more secure nation in the year ahead.
IGP Egbetokun’s vision is unambiguous: a police force that is professional, accountable, intelligence-driven, and trusted by the people it serves. At its core is the belief that effective policing in the 21st century must go beyond reactive responses to crime.
It must anticipate threats, prevent criminality, and work hand-in-hand with citizens as partners in security. If fully supported, 2026 can mark a decisive turning point in restoring public confidence in the Nigeria Police.
Central to this transformation is the IGP’s mission to institutionalise intelligence-led policing. In an era where crime has become more sophisticated, data and intelligence must guide operations.
The strategic use of data analytics, criminal databases, biometrics, and digital surveillance tools will enable the police to identify patterns, predict hotspots, and disrupt criminal networks before they strike.
When combined with strong human intelligence networks at the community level, this approach positions the Force to move from being largely reactive to decisively proactive.
Another critical pillar of the reform agenda is enhanced training and welfare. IGP Egbetokun understands that no reform can succeed without motivated, well-trained, and mentally fit officers.
His emphasis on attitudinal change, combat readiness, and continuous professional development reflects a desire to build a police force that is both disciplined and service-oriented. Importantly, welfare is not limited to salaries alone.
It includes improved medical care, structured counselling and mental health support, better living conditions, and a more reliable pension system. A police officer who is cared for is far more likely to serve with integrity, empathy, and professionalism.
Technology integration is another defining feature of the IGP’s reform vision. The Nigeria Police can no longer rely on 20th-century tools to confront 21st-century security challenges. Modern policing demands the deployment of drones for surveillance, real-time communication systems, digital forensics, and integrated command-and-control centres.
These tools enhance response time, improve evidence gathering, and reduce reliance on guesswork. In 2026, technology must not be an add-on; it must be the backbone of policing operations nationwide.
Equally important is the renewed focus on community policing. Security cannot be achieved by force alone; it must be built on trust. Through vibrant engagement with Police Community Relations Committees (PCRC), citizen focus groups, traditional institutions, and civil society organisations, the police can rebuild broken bridges with the public.
When communities trust the police, intelligence flows more freely, crimes are reported earlier, and collective ownership of security emerges. This people-centred approach is essential to sustainable peace.
The IGP has also prioritised inter-agency collaboration, recognising that no single agency can address Nigeria’s complex security challenges alone. Stronger partnerships with the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, civil defence, and other security stakeholders will ensure unified operations, reduce duplication of efforts, and close operational gaps exploited by criminals. A coordinated security architecture is indispensable for national stability.
Accountability and professionalism form the moral foundation of this reform journey. Merit-based career advancement, strict adherence to rules of engagement, and zero tolerance for corruption are necessary to restore the dignity of the uniform. When officers know that integrity is rewarded and misconduct punished, service excellence becomes the norm rather than the exception.
The establishment and strengthening of quick-intervention mechanisms, including specialised units such as the Special Intervention Squad, further demonstrate the IGP’s commitment to rapid response, crisis de-escalation, and violent crime reduction.
These units, properly trained and equipped, can serve as shock absorbers in moments of heightened tension, preventing situations from spiralling out of control.
However, vision without resources remains an aspiration. To achieve meaningful progress, targeting at least 90 per cent implementation of these reforms in 2026, the government must do its part by promptly releasing budgeted funds to the Nigeria Police.
Adequate and timely funding will translate policy into action, technology into tools, and training into tangible capacity on the ground.
In conclusion, 2026 holds the promise of a better year for the Nigeria Police and, by extension, for Nigeria’s internal security. With IGP Egbetokun’s clear vision, well-defined mission, and robust reform pillars, the foundation has been laid. What remains is the collective will of government, stakeholders, and citizens to support this transformation.
If that support is sustained, Nigeria can move closer to a future where the police are not feared but trusted, not reactive but proactive, and not distant, but truly partners in building a safe and secure nation.
Kelvin Adegbenga is the National Coordinator of Integrity Youth Alliance. kelvinadegbenga@yahoo.com@kelvinadegbenga