Police in Nigeria Advocate for Research- and Technology-Driven Policing

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

Inspector General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu said that education, research and technology are essential for building a modern, professional, intelligence‑driven police force capable of tackling Nigeria’s emerging security challenges.

He made these remarks during a meeting with Tertiary Education Trust Fund Executive Secretary Sonny Echono on Thursday in Abuja.

The IGP called for ongoing support to expand and modernise police educational institutions.

Disu noted that many complaints about the police stem from gaps in education and professional development.

“We realise that we cannot do our jobs without education. If you notice any lapses in what the police do, all the complaints we have against the police boil down to education,” he said.

He added, “Policing has gone beyond stereotypes. We want to be scientific. We need specialists in forensics, criminology, cyber security and data analytics. We want research‑driven policing supported by advanced technology.”

The police chief said the Nigerian Police Force is repositioning its training institutions to meet global standards, and highlighted the proposed police university in Ogun State as a major milestone in its reform agenda.

“The future of effective policing lies in education, innovation, professionalism and strategic partnership,” he stated.

Disu revealed that the force already has officers trained in artificial intelligence, drone operations and crime analytics, and that it is increasingly deploying predictive policing techniques to anticipate criminal activity.

“We are doing analytics in policing. We can predict crimes happening. At the end of the year, for example, we notice increases in fraud, accidents and other crimes. These are things that data and research help us to understand and prevent,” he said.

The IGP appealed to TETFund for continued investment in academic infrastructure, ICT facilities, laboratories, research centres and staff development programmes for police institutions.

Responding, Echono assured police leadership of TETFund’s ongoing support and described Disu as a highly professional officer whose reputation for excellence preceded his appointment as IGP.

“TETFund has had a long history of collaboration with the Nigerian Police Force, and we will continue to strengthen that partnership,” he said.

Echono also disclosed that President Bola Tinubu approved the establishment of a new campus of the Police Academy in Ogun State, with funds already released for its launch.

“We have made funds