By: Mohammed Husaini, Abuja
The Nigerian Police says there is a need for law enforcement agencies to adapt speed, foresight, and creativity in conflict resolution rather than conventional responses alone.
The Inspector Generator of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun made this known while declaring open the Workshop on Executive Capacity Building for the top leadership of the Force in Abuja.
The workshop with the theme: “Managing Fast-Paced Security Challenges in a Protracted Conflict Environment”, was described by the IGP as “apt” and “urgent”.
IGP Egbetokun revealed that, “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 Police Chief commended the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP) for partnering with the Police on the initiative, which he said bridges the gap between scholarship and practice.
“The SPSP has given the Police not just an opportunity to reflect, but also to renew and sharpen its leadership for the complex challenges ahead,” he added.
According to the IGP, criminal syndicates are exploiting technology, terrorist networks are reorganising under new labels, and once-local conflicts are spilling across borders, amplified by social media.
Egbetokun hinted that the complexity demands more than courage alone, it demands foresight, creativity, and the agility to lead in an environment of constant flux.
The IGP explained that they are practical weapons of leadership tools that will equip the Force to command with clarity, manage crises with precision, and inspire confidence in the men and women under its charge.
The President of SPSP, Nathaniel Awuapila, FSPSP noted that Nigeria was at a crossroads where policing must evolve into a proactive, intelligence-driven institution.
Mr. Awuapila said “We are gathered here not merely to exchange ideas, but to embark on a transformative journey, one that seeks to reposition the NPF as a force capable of fostering peace, justice, and national cohesion.”
He stressed that the programme aligns with the National Security Strategy, the ongoing Police Reform Agenda, and global peacebuilding frameworks.
“Through expert presentations, interactive sessions, case studies, and dialogue, we aim to equip senior officers not just with tactical proficiency, but with strategic insight to lead with integrity and impact,” he added.
The joint message from both leaders was clear: police reform is no longer optional but urgent.
The IGP cautioned that the workshop must not end with lectures and notes. “It must produce a shift in mindset, a recalibration of strategy, and a renewal of commitment,”
He charged that every insight must become an action, and every action must strengthen the chain of security that binds Nigeria together.
Both the IGP and SPSP stressed that the ultimate test of the workshop will not be in the hall but in Nigeria’s streets and communities.
The training covered critical topics such as conflict analysis, conflict-sensitive decision-making, early warning and early response systems, and linking early warning to policy development.
Olusola Akintonde