The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has called for stronger collaboration with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, to improve police education, research, and specialised training as part of broader efforts to modernise the Nigeria Police Force.
Disu made the appeal during a visit to the headquarters of TETFund in Abuja, where he disclosed that the Force had already submitted proposals outlining key programmes and implementation strategies requiring support from the intervention agency.
According to the Inspector-General, the Nigeria Police aims to expand its training capacity, promote academic excellence in policing and international security studies, and strengthen professionalism within the Force through modern education and technology-driven learning systems.
He explained that education remains central to effective policing, stressing that many of the challenges confronting law enforcement agencies are linked to inadequate training and limited professional development opportunities.
The police chief emphasised the urgent need for scientific and research-based policing, especially in critical areas such as forensic science, criminology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, drone operations, and crime analytics.
Disu noted that modern policing can no longer rely solely on conventional methods, adding that the Force requires highly trained specialists capable of handling emerging security threats and technology-driven crimes.
He also appealed for sustained TETFund intervention in infrastructure development to support the successful takeoff of the proposed police academy campus in Ogun State.
The requested support includes lecture theatres, ICT centres, laboratories, libraries, research facilities, student accommodation, and staff development programmes.
Responding, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, assured the Nigeria Police Force of the agency’s continued support toward the establishment and growth of the proposed academy campus.
Echono disclosed that TETFund had already commenced plans for joint inspections and assessments of facilities needed for the institution’s takeoff, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for the new campus in Ogun State.
Stakeholders say the proposed collaboration could significantly improve police professionalism, research capacity, and the adoption of modern security technologies in Nigeria’s law enforcement system.