The recent approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of a Police Academy campus in Ogun state has ignited a wave of reactions across the country. Predictably, the move has generated both commendation and criticism, evolving into a heated national discourse. Yet, beneath the noise lies a strategic policy decision that deserves careful reflection rather than impulsive condemnation.
At its core, this initiative represents a continuation of a broader governance policy of decentralisation. For a country as vast and diverse as Nigeria, the concentration of critical institutions in limited locations has long created structural inefficiencies. Administrative bottlenecks, limited access, and regional disparities have persisted largely because of excessive centralisation.
The proposed expansion of the Nigeria Police Academy system is therefore not merely an infrastructural addition; it is a deliberate attempt to rebalance access to training and opportunities within the nation’s security architecture. It acknowledges the urgent need to scale up manpower in a country grappling with multifaceted security challenges.
No one needs to be reminded that Nigeria is currently facing a deficit in trained security personnel. From insurgency in the North-east to banditry and urban crime across regions, the demand for a larger, better-trained police force is undeniable. Increasing the number of training institutions is a logical and necessary response to this reality.
The critics, however, have framed the development through a narrow lens, alleging ethnic or regional bias. Such arguments collapse under scrutiny. Nigeria’s policing infrastructure has, for decades, operated on a decentralised model. Police colleges already exist in Kaduna, Lagos, Enugu, Maiduguri, and Sokoto, a structure that has significantly contributed to the steady production of police constables over the years.
It is therefore inconsistent, if not disingenuous, to suddenly interpret the Ogun initiative as a sectional agenda. If anything, it aligns with an already established national pattern aimed at expanding capacity and accessibility.
A compelling parallel can be drawn from the decentralisation of the Nigerian Law School. Prior to its expansion into multiple campuses across geopolitical zones, thousands of law graduates faced prolonged delays in gaining admission into the single central campus. The system was overstretched, and opportunities were limited.
The eventual decentralisation of the Nigerian Law School into campuses in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Yenagoa, and Yola dramatically transformed the situation. It enabled a larger number of graduates to attend without undue delay, reduced congestion, and created a more inclusive and efficient legal training system.
Today, the Nigerian Law School stands as a textbook example of how decentralisation can improve institutional performance while promoting national inclusion. It eliminated unnecessary bottlenecks and ensured that aspiring lawyers from different regions could pursue their professional training with greater ease.
This same logic applies to the Police Academy expansion. By establishing additional campuses, the government is not only increasing training capacity but also bringing opportunities closer to the people. This reduces logistical burdens and encourages broader participation from diverse communities.
Moreover, decentralisation fosters a sense of ownership and inclusivity. When institutions are spread across regions, citizens feel more connected to national structures. It diminishes perceptions of marginalisation and strengthens the fabric of unity.
The argument that Nigeria should maintain a highly centralised institutional framework ignores the practical realities of population growth and national complexity. A country of over 200 million people cannot effectively operate critical institutions from a handful of locations without encountering systemic strain.
Those opposing the Ogun Police Academy project must therefore confront a simple question: should Nigeria continue to struggle with inadequate training capacity, or should it expand strategically to meet its growing needs?
It is also important to recognise that security is not a regional concern, it is a national imperative. Strengthening the police force benefits every Nigerian, regardless of ethnicity or geography. More trained officers mean improved response times, better intelligence gathering, and enhanced public safety.
The narrative pushed by pessimists and reactionary voices risks distracting from the real issue at hand. Rather than engaging in constructive dialogue, they have chosen to politicise a development that is fundamentally about national security and institutional efficiency.
Public discourse should instead focus on how to ensure that the new academy meets global standards, receives adequate funding, and operates with transparency and professionalism. These are the metrics that truly matter.
In truth, the Ogun Police Academy initiative is not an anomaly, it is a continuation of a proven strategy. Just as the decentralised Police Colleges have strengthened constabulary training, and just as the Nigerian Law School reform expanded legal education, this new campus has the potential to significantly boost Nigeria’s security capacity.
President Tinubu’s decision, therefore, should be seen for what it is: a forward-looking policy aimed at addressing structural gaps. It is a step toward a more responsive and inclusive governance model. In a time when insecurity remains a pressing concern, Nigeria cannot afford to reject practical solutions based on misplaced sentiments. The expansion of training institutions is not a luxury, it is a necessity.
Ultimately, this initiative deserves commendation, not backlash. It reflects a recognition that progress requires adaptation, and that decentralisation is not a weakness, but a strength in managing a complex and dynamic nation like Nigeria.
Jabir T. Usman,
Sabon Gari, Tudun Wada,
Kaduna state