President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency on the training facilities of Nigeria’s internal security agencies, citing their severely outdated condition and concerns about operational effectiveness.
The declaration covers training institutions operated by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other domestic security agencies across the country.
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The announcement came as a high-level National Economic Council (NEC) ad-hoc committee, led by Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, conducted on-site inspections of security training facilities in Lagos on Tuesday.
Governor Mbah revealed the president’s decision during the facility tour, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the deteriorating infrastructure.
“President Bola Tinubu has announced a state of emergency regarding the training facilities of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other internal security agencies,” Governor Mbah stated. “He highlighted the necessity for this action due to the facilities’ outdated state, which raises concerns about their effectiveness.”
Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, who joined the inspection tour, disclosed that the committee has been given a tight 30-day timeline to submit a comprehensive report to the National Economic Council for action.
The committee’s membership includes former Inspector General of Police Alkali Usman Baba, who serves as secretary, and Assistant Inspector General of Police Olatunji Disu, who oversees the Special Protection Unit (SPU).
The state of emergency declaration reflects growing concern that inadequate training infrastructure may be undermining the preparedness and professionalism of Nigeria’s security forces at a time when the country faces multiple security challenges, including insurgency in the northeast, banditry in the northwest, and kidnapping across various regions.
Outdated facilities typically lack modern training equipment, proper accommodation for recruits, adequate classrooms, and contemporary simulation technologies essential for preparing security personnel for complex operational environments.
The NEC committee is expected to assess the extent of infrastructural decay, determine funding requirements for comprehensive rehabilitation, and propose a roadmap for bringing the facilities up to international standards.
The 30-day deadline suggests the administration views the reform of security training infrastructure as an urgent national priority requiring immediate intervention.