Presidential committee vows swift overhaul of Nigeria’s security training institutions

The Presidential Committee on the Overhaul and Revamp of Training Institutions for Security Agencies, chaired by Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, has reaffirmed its commitment to meeting the deadline for submitting its findings and a comprehensive bill of quantities detailing the total cost of refurbishing the nation’s security training facilities for full implementation.

The assurance was given on Thursday during the committee’s inspection of the Nigeria Police Training School, Nonwa-Tai, in Rivers State, part of a nationwide assessment of security training institutions.

The eight-member committee, inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the auspices of the National Economic Council, was accompanied on the visit by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, and the committee’s Secretary, retired IGP Baba Usman, among others.

During the inspection, the team observed that the Nonwa-Tai facility was in a state of severe neglect, with dilapidated buildings, vandalised infrastructure, and overgrown premises.

Addressing journalists after the tour, Governor Mbah explained that the inspection was in line with President Tinubu’s directive to conduct an urgent evaluation and rehabilitation of all police and security training centres across the country.

He said the president’s initiative reflects his understanding that Nigeria’s security challenges demand immediate and comprehensive solutions.

According to him, “The president personally inaugurated this committee because he recognises that we are at a security crossroads. Nothing short of a complete and urgent overhaul is required. The president has already approved the recruitment of 30,000 new police personnel, but that process cannot begin without functional training institutions.”

Governor Mbah noted that the visit was a fact-finding mission to verify firsthand reports from across the country.