Opinion
Nigeria Police Academy 1988-2021: The journey so far
Prof. Suleiman Muhammad Saye
Thirty-three years is sufficient, a matured age for an adolescent to make impact on his/her immediate surroundings and even beyond, at forty is considered a full adult capable of handling any challenge.
The Nigeria Police Academy was established in 1988 (33 years ago) following the need to upgrade the quality of Nigeria Police Force from the inherited British Colonial West African Frontier Force. It was also established as part of the Police Reform initiative; to produce the ideal Superior Police Officer who is equipped with knowledge and skills to face the challenges of policing in an increasingly complex Nigerian society and technologically sophisticated world. It is built on the philosophy to train highly reformed, mobile, innovative, effective civil police.
Before 1988, the Academy was running a dual programme of Cadets Inspectors and Cadets Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASPs) at Challawa, Kaduna and then Wudil. Degree and Diploma holden were given an eighteen months programme in Police professional training and Police laws without any input by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The necessity to upgrade and convert the Academy to a Degree awarding cropped up due to the barrage of challenges poised by security issues locally and globally. Initial move was made by a committee headed by DIG M. Danmadami in 2006 and another one by IGP M. D. Yusuf in 2007. The reports of the two committees did not see the light of the day but had influenced the necessity of setting another one headed by an academic: Prof. Tekena N. Tamuno (a Historian from University of Ibadan).
Tamuno’s 14-man committee was made up of a variety of professional people and academics from the government, the Police Force and other indispensable security stakeholders. The committee submitted its report in 1998 with a strong recommendation of upgrading the Academy to a degree awarding status. In 1999, the Federal Government approved the recommendation and released the sum of N318 million as take-off grant. By 23rd April, 2009, the Hon. Minister of Police Affairs, Dr. Ibrahim Yakubu Lame in the course of inaugurating the Police Reform Committee stated the immediate take-off of Academy as a degree awarding institution. It was one of the cardinal objectives of President Umar Musa Yar’Adua’s reform programme.
With this inauguration, the ball was set rolling, in doing so, the Academy shall adhere to the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards as prescribed by the National Universities Commission (NUC) which supervises and regulates all degree awarding programmes – institutions in Nigeria. The Academy would also aim at serving not only the needs of the Police force and related agencies but those of the society in general. It shall also aim at providing training that would prepare its graduates not only for the Police duty but also their post-career life.
The planning committee for the take off of the new institution was made up of:
Prof. Idris Abdulkadir – Chairman
Prof. Nura Alkali – Member
Prof. Buba Bajoga – Member
Prof. Munzali Jibril – Member
Prof. Olugbemiro Jegede – Member
Prof. F. A. Ogunbona – Member
DIG Fidelis Oyakhilome (rtd) – Member
Alh. Adamu Gumba – Member
Alh. DIG Uba Ringim – Member
Alh. Mukhtar Abbas – Member
Dr. Ahmed Adam Okene – Member
Dr. Ezekiel O. Oyemoni – Member/Secretary
This committee worked tirelessly and finally succeeded to upgrade, the Academy to a degree awarding institution and the National Universities Commission (NUC) accordingly recognized it as the thirty-seven (37th) Federal University and one hundred and twenty fourth (124th) University in Nigeria.
Academic activities commenced on September 2013, secondary school leavers were admitted and started a five-year degree programme at Wudil on 22nd September, 2013.
The academic head of the institution is to be manned by a Provost but due to exegesis, the Bill is yet to be approved. Prof. Munzali Jibril was appointed to serve as the Pioneer Coordinator. Others that follow are thus:
Prof. Munzali Jibril – 06/11/2010 – 31/03/2015
Prof. Siraj Abdulkarim – 31/03/2015 – 29/03/2017
Prof. Ibrahim Abdulkadir (Acting) – 29/04/2017 – 22/07/2019
Prof. Umar M. Sani (Acting) – 27/07/2019 – To date
Registrars
Mal. Ghali Usman – 06/01/2010 – 31/03/2017
Mr. Charles Egwumba (acting) – 31/03/2017 – To date
Commandants
AIG C. T. Akagbosu 1989 – 1990
AIG J. A. Iyamabo 1990 – 1996
AIG B. A. Albasu 1996 – 1999
AIG Baba Amadu 1999 – 2000
AIG O. O. Onovo 2000 – 2001
AIG W. Ehikhametalor 2001 – 2002
AIG U. Suleiman 2002 – 2002
AIG N. E. Nijom 2002 – 2005
AIG E. I. Anuniru 2005 – 2008
AIG Mukhtar Abbas 2008 – 2009
AIG J. O. Uzuegbunam 2009 – 2010
AIG Danlami ‘Yar’Adua 2010 – 2011
AIG Shehu A. Babalola 2011 – 2012
AIG Christopher Dega 2012 – 2013
AIG B. A. Bolanta 2013 – 2015
AIG Adenrele T. Shinaba 2015 – 2016
AIG Aminchi S. Baraya 2016 – 2017
AIG Sani U. Muhammad 2017 – 2018
AIG Yakubu O. Jibrin 2018 – 2019
AIG Zanna M. Ibrahim 2019 – 2021
AIG Lawan T. Jimeta 2021 – 2022
AIG Ahmad Abdulrahman 2022 – Date
Graduating Sets
Since the upgrading in September 1988, the following ASPs have graduated from the institution:
1st Regular Course 23/11/2017 – 600
2nd Regular Course 14/03/2019 – 621
3rd Regular Course (Tuesday 22/06/2021) – 418
MILESTONE
As of today, over a thousand six hundred well-grounded middle-level Police Officers have been injected into the society to beef up and enhance the security efforts of the nation.
Fifteen out of the seventeen programmes have been successfully accredited by the National Universities Commission.
Five iconic projects executed by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) are completed and been used, they include a modern Postgraduate Hostel, 4500-seater auditorium, a state-of-the-art forensic laboratory, an independent shooting range, and an ICT complex.
Also, some capital projects such as the unique Muhammadu Buhari Parade Ground, the VIP Pavilion, Photography Pavilion, Institute for Security Studies and Cyber Crime have been completed. Cadet/Students’ Affairs Complex, Postgraduate School and the Convocation Square are in the pipeline.
The institution is a division and member of INTERPRA (International Institute of Police Academies).
All these laudable achievements are possible by the joint efforts of the Presidency, the Honourable Minister of Police Affairs, the CBN under Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), the Inspector General of Police and the Police Service Commission (PSC).
BOTTLENECKS
One of the major stumbling blocks bedeviling all universities in Nigeria today is lack of adequate funding. The Police Academy is not an exception, in fact, it is more dire here because of the dual roles. More funds are required so as to stimulate efforts to ensure the Academy compete favourably with similar Police Institutions internationally. Secondly, the Academic Bill has remained a mirage. Without the Bill, the institution lacks ‘Legal backing’ and there are quite a number of decisions that suffer, for instance the issue of Governing Council is still pending.
STAFF WELFARE
Secondly, POLAC is facing the problem of management especially the Academic wing. The five Professors that headed the institutions so far are either Coordinators or acting Coordinators instead of Provost as enshrined in the Bill.
Provost shall have a full fledge mandate to execute a planned programme of activities. Coordinators do not have such mandate. The Bill has been prepared and sent since 4 years ago, but is still to be signed. There are a lot of stories about the Bill, some say its delayed due to personal/stakeholders’ interests, others say its because of role conflict to be sorted out. Whatever the case, the Bill is very vital for an effective running of the institution. So where is the Bill? I beg to know.
STAFF WELFARE/MOTIVATION/INCENTIVE
If there is any dark area in the trends of growth in the life of the workers of POLAC, welfare is the main thorn in our flesh. Staff have cried, wept and have surrendered to the will of the Almighty in a typical Nigeria common man’s “God dey” style on this aspect. The fact that we are not allowed to join any labour union, makes it almost impossible for our grievances to be forwarded. Teething issues like accommodation i.e housing, pension, allowances, local conferences are poorly handled to the dislike of many staff members.
Though promotions are done, but, there are a lot of gaps to fill in terms of staffing, interviews of principal officers, lecturers and lab scientists and technicians were conducted at one time or the other but results remain elusive, it may not be unrelated to lack of a Governing Council which may facilitate execution of vital decisions. So, we keep on asking for the sake of the Almighty: where is our Bill?
Prof. Suleiman Muhammad Saye
Is a Professor of counseling and educational psychology,
Dean
Postgraduate School,
Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil.
Opinion
Support for President Tinubu’s Policies and Call for the Appointment of Hisham Habib as Political Adviser
By Auwal Dankano
We, a coalition of concerned citizens and political stakeholders, express our unwavering support for the bold and decisive policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu aimed at revitalizing our nation and securing a prosperous future for all Nigerians.
President Tinubu’s commitment to economic reform, infrastructural development, and social welfare initiatives demonstrates a clear vision for progress. We commend his administration’s efforts to address the challenges facing our country, and we believe that with continued dedication and strategic leadership, Nigeria will overcome these obstacles and achieve its full potential.
In light of the recent resignation of Hakeem Baba-Ahmed as Political Adviser, we urge President Tinubu to consider the appointment of Hisham Habib as his successor. Hisham Habib is a seasoned political strategist with a proven track record of effective communication, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement. His extensive experience and deep understanding of the Nigerian political landscape make him an ideal candidate to serve as a trusted advisor to the President.
Hisham Habib’s qualifications include: A degree in English and attended courses in politics and journalism in both local and overseas. He works with media houses up to the level of managing editor, and he was the first set of publishers of online newspapers in Nigeria.
He also served a the Director media of NNPP presidential and govarnatorial election, as well as appointed as Managing Director of Kano State own Radio station.
Many remember him as the pioneer chairman of NNPP, Kano state chapter , whose political expertise help the party win the number one seat in Kano.
As he decamped to the ruling APC, he build a strong chain , that will make our great party victorious at the fourth coming elections.
We believe that Hisham Habib’s appointment would strengthen the President’s advisory team and enhance the effective implementation of his administration’s agenda. His expertise in political strategy and his commitment to national development align perfectly with President Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria.
We call upon President Tinubu to give serious consideration to Hisham Habib’s candidacy and to appoint him as Political Adviser. We are confident that his contributions will be invaluable in advancing the President’s goals and ensuring the success of his administration.
We also want to call the attention of Mr President to consider Auwal Dankano for a national assignment. Auwal is the chairman of Rwinwin, a movement that worked tirelessly toward the success of president Tunubu in the last elections year.
Dankano is a quantity surveyor, with over two decades of field experience, and always promote APC and President Tunubu masses oriented policies.
Ha was a board member of Kano Micro finance, as well as Representative of Kano State , in Northern Governor’s Forum.
We reaffirm our unwavering support for President Tinubu and his efforts to build a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria.
Auwal Dankano
National Chairman
APC Forum of Intellectuals.
Dr. Auwalu Halilu
Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un.
It is with deep sorrow and a heavy heart that the Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) receives the sad news of the passing of our dear friend, mentor, and a tireless champion of education and development, Dr. Auwalu Inusa Mohammed, former Chairman of the Education Support Group (ESG).
Dr. Auwalu was not only a pillar in the education sector but a beacon of hope and resilience for all who believed in the power of knowledge and community development. His wisdom, humility, and unwavering commitment to improving educational outcomes have left an indelible mark on our state and beyond.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, and the entire development community. His legacy of service, advocacy, and dedication to humanity will continue to inspire us.
May Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings, grant him Jannatul Firdaus, and give his loved ones the strength to bear this great loss.
Dr. Auwalu Halilu
Co-Chair (CSOs),
Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) .
Dr. Auwalu Halilu
Bismillah Rahmanir Raheem
On this joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, I extend my heartfelt greetings to the good people of Kano State, particularly education stakeholders, parents, teachers, and students. May this Eid bring peace, prosperity, and countless blessings to us all.
As we celebrate the completion of Ramadan, a month of sacrifice, reflection, and self-discipline, let us carry forward its invaluable lessons into our collective commitment to education. Just as Ramadan teaches us patience, perseverance, and generosity, we must apply these virtues in ensuring that every child, especially the most vulnerable, has access to quality education.
Education is the key to sustainable development, and our duty as a society is to nurture a system that is inclusive, accountable, and responsive to the needs of our children. The spirit of Ramadan encourages us to be more compassionate and proactive in addressing societal challenges. Let this spirit guide our continuous advocacy for improved educational policies, increased access to learning opportunities, and enhanced support for teachers and students.
As we mark this blessed day, I urge all stakeholders, government agencies, civil society organizations, community leaders, and development partners to renew their commitment to strengthening education in Kano State. Together, let us translate the lessons of sacrifice, discipline, and generosity into actionable steps toward building a future where every child has a fair chance to learn and thrive.
Eid Mubarak! May Allah (SWT) bless our efforts and grant us success in our quest for an enlightened and educated society.
Dr. Auwalu Halilu, is a Co-Chair (CSOs), Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE).
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