A former Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, has called for a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s security architecture through the adoption of a constitutionally defined multi-level policing system and the establishment of specialised research centres across the country’s security institutions.
Egbetokun made the call while delivering the keynote address at the 20th International Conference and General Assembly of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP), held at Lead City University, Ibadan. The conference, which has attracted scholars, security professionals, policymakers, diplomats and peacebuilders, is being held from October 5 to 9.
Speaking on the theme, “Security Governance and Global Dynamics,” the former police chief argued that Nigeria’s security challenges require structural and institutional reforms rather than an approach focused primarily on procuring more equipment and expanding operational capabilities.
He proposed a policing framework that would operate at the federal, state and community levels, with each tier assigned clearly defined responsibilities, rules of engagement, sustainable funding mechanisms and effective accountability structures. According to him, such an arrangement would enable security agencies to respond more effectively to threats at the local level while maintaining national coordination.
Egbetokun, however, cautioned that the devolution of policing powers to states and communities must be carefully designed and implemented. He stressed that clarity of roles and responsibilities would be critical to preventing conflicts, duplication of functions and abuses of authority within a multi-level policing system.
Reflecting on his years of service and leadership within the Nigeria Police Force, Egbetokun commended the dedication and sacrifices of police officers and other security personnel across the country. He nevertheless maintained that security institutions must continue to evolve in response to changing threats, emerging technologies and the increasingly complex nature of crime.
He also advocated the establishment of dedicated research centres in police colleges, military institutions and other security agencies. Such centres, he said, should focus on after-action reviews, data analytics, strategic research and evidence-based policing to enable security institutions to learn from previous operations and improve future responses.
According to the former Inspector-General, Nigeria’s security agencies possess enormous operational experience, but much of that experience is not sufficiently documented or transformed into institutional knowledge. He argued that systematic documentation and research would help preserve lessons learned and strengthen decision-making across the security sector.
On the relationship between peace and security, Egbetokun described peace as one of the fundamental pillars upon which sustainable security is built. Drawing from more than three decades of experience in command, operations, policy and leadership, he maintained that security cannot endure where peace remains fragile or unsustainable.
He emphasised that security should not be viewed solely as a responsibility of government, noting that it must be collectively produced by society. He identified government institutions, the private sector, academia, communities and individual citizens as important stakeholders in building a safer society, while describing public trust as a critical component of national security infrastructure.
Egbetokun further warned that Nigeria’s security challenges cannot be treated as purely domestic problems because many contemporary threats operate through international networks. He identified terrorism, banditry, cybercrime, arms and drug trafficking and illicit financial flows as transnational activities that often develop local networks and consequences within Nigeria.
He therefore called for a shift from a predominantly national approach to a more networked security model in which government agencies, communities and international partners work together. While acknowledging the indispensable role of the state, he stressed that no single institution can effectively confront modern security threats in isolation.
The former police chief also urged policymakers to ensure that security governance keeps pace with rapid technological developments, particularly artificial intelligence. He said technological innovation must be accompanied by appropriate regulation, accountability and ethical safeguards to prevent emerging technologies from creating new security vulnerabilities.
He equally recommended the development of a national framework for information integrity capable of addressing disinformation, hate speech and extremist propaganda while protecting legitimate freedom of expression. He called for stronger regional and international partnerships to combat transnational organised crime and other threats that cross national borders.
Placing citizens at the centre of Nigeria’s security strategy, Egbetokun argued that national security must ultimately be measured by the safety and wellbeing of ordinary people. He identified food security, employment, healthcare and the protection of schools as essential elements of human security, warning that a state cannot be considered truly secure when its citizens remain vulnerable. He further stressed that poverty and unemployment must be tackled to reduce the pool of vulnerable people that extremist groups can exploit for recruitment.
Egbetokun concluded by advocating a governance model built around prevention, resilience, institutional continuity, evidence-based decision-making, effective coordination, responsible technology use and public legitimacy. He urged the SPSP and other stakeholders to continue strengthening the relationship between scholarship and practice, calling for evidence to inform policy and practical experience to enrich research.