By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) has called for urgent and comprehensive reforms to Nigeria’s security architecture, advocating the establishment of state police while emphasizing that justice, accountability, and societal orientation remain critical to achieving lasting peace.
The call formed the central focus of discussions at AANI’s 46th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and National Colloquium, held in Abuja under the theme: “State Police and Community Policing: Challenges, Options and Opportunities.”
The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, who served as Special Guest of Honour, stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fully committed to addressing the country’s security challenges.
Ajayi stressed that beyond structural reforms, Nigeria must confront deeper issues such as trust deficits and societal orientation.
He urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, and grassroots mobilizers to rise to their responsibilities, noting that security is not solely institutional but a shared societal duty.
The DSS chief also reiterated the central role of justice, stating that “where there is justice, peace comes naturally,” and emphasizing fairness and equity as the foundation of national stability.
He further noted that state policing is not only a legitimate exercise of state authority to address immediate threats but also one of the most effective mechanisms for coordinating and harmonizing Nigeria’s numerous quasi-law enforcement outfits operating across states.
The high-level event was chaired by Tijjani Bande, former Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations and former Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).
It attracted key stakeholders, including the Director-General of NIPSS, Ayo Omotayo, as well as representatives of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigerian Navy, and other service chiefs.
Delegations from the Zamfara and Sokoto State Governments, alongside senior security and intelligence officials, were also in attendance.
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