By George Ozalla
A two-day workshop on strengthening institutional capacity for effective police oversight began on Wednesday, July 3, 2025, in Abuja, with the Police Service Commission (PSC) receiving a major boost in its efforts to enhance police oversight. The workshop, which brings together Board Members, Directors, and Heads of Departments and Units of the PSC, was declared open by Senator Abdulhamid Mallam-Madori Ahmed, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs.
Senator Ahmed acknowledged the challenges facing police oversight and the urgent need to enhance institutional frameworks that promote transparency, professionalism, and public trust in law enforcement. He emphasized that the PSC plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the Nigeria Police Force operates within the highest standards of integrity and service delivery.
“The theme of this workshop underscores the critical need for robust, accountable, and efficient policing systems in Nigeria,” Senator Ahmed said. “This workshop presents a unique opportunity for Board Members, key Management, and technical officials of the Commission to engage in capacity-building initiatives that will further empower them to carry out their oversight mandate effectively.”
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Police Institutions, Honourable Barr Aliyu Wakili Boya, also pledged the committee’s support for the PSC’s efforts to strengthen police oversight. “Strengthening institutional capacity for effective police oversight requires a multi-faceted approach involving independent oversight bodies such as the Commission, police accountability measures, and community engagement,” Hon. Boya said.
The PSC Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu, emphasized the need for robust oversight mechanisms in a rapidly evolving security landscape. “Effective oversight is not just about accountability – it is about building public trust, fostering operational excellence, and ensuring that policing aligns with democratic values and the rule of law,” DIG Argungu said.
The Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme, Napoleon Enayaba, also commended the PSC’s efforts to strengthen police oversight. “At the heart of this workshop lies a fundamental principle: that oversight is indispensable to trust,” Mr. Enayaba said. “The Police Service Commission, as Nigeria’s constitutionally mandated civilian oversight body, plays a critical role in ensuring professionalism, transparency, and accountability within the Nigeria Police Force.”
