The Honourable Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, has reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to establishing a structured framework for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of Nigeria’s police reform roadmap.

He made this statement during a stakeholder engagement on police reforms held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. The event brought together key figures, including the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, the Director-General of the Institute of Police Studies, and representatives from the Office of the National Security Adviser, Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigeria Correctional Service, Nigeria Police Trust Fund, CLEEN Foundation, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Gaidam emphasized that the Ministry will strategically coordinate donor support to prevent duplication of efforts, enhance the efficiency of assistance, and ensure that resources are allocated to priority areas in the nation’s police development agenda.

“This event aligns with our unwavering commitment to fulfilling President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate to reform the Nigeria Police in line with global best practices. We are dedicated to fostering trust and confidence, which are essential to effective policing,” the Minister stated.

Police Reform: A National Priority

The Minister highlighted that reforming the police force is not just a goal but a key priority for the current administration. President Tinubu’s directive in October 2023 assigned the Ministry of Police Affairs, the National Security Adviser, and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission the responsibility of developing a comprehensive and sustainable police reform blueprint.

“This mandate underscores the administration’s recognition of the urgent need to transform our policing system. Our goal is to move beyond rhetoric and implement tangible reforms that reshape the narrative of policing in Nigeria,” he said.

Stakeholder Collaboration for Effective Reform

Gaidam stressed that the engagement aims to foster a multi-sectoral consensus on police reforms. He noted that achieving meaningful change requires broad societal participation, as educating the public on policing intricacies is vital to building national support for a reform blueprint that aligns with Nigeria’s realities.

“True reform cannot happen in isolation. Engaging stakeholders ensures that public opinion is incorporated at every stage of the process, making the reforms more inclusive and reflective of community needs,” he added.

The Minister also assured that stakeholder engagement will be a continuous process, as public input is crucial to shaping a police force that effectively serves Nigerian communities.

Germany’s Contribution to Nigeria’s Police Reform

German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Günther, reiterated her country’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s policing system. She highlighted Germany’s investments in police training by refurbishing and equipping training facilities in Lagos, Enugu, Abuja, and Kaduna. Over 1,000 police trainers have received specialized training in leadership, human rights, crisis communication, and gender-sensitive policing.

“Through collaborations with civil society organizations and national institutions, we have supported governance reforms, including the establishment of the Police Transformation and Reform Office (PORTO), now succeeded by the Police Reform Secretariat, which continues to drive the reform agenda forward,” she stated.

This collaborative approach underscores the commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s law enforcement system, ensuring a transparent, accountable, and community-driven policing structure.

Lagos app-based drivers, represented by the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), have strongly opposed Bolt’s 50% fare reduction, arguing that it exacerbates their financial difficulties.

As a response, the union has announced plans for a protest, demanding fairer treatment and improved working conditions within the ride-hailing industry.

AUATON members have expressed concern that the steep fare cuts have worsened their already difficult financial situations, making it harder to meet basic needs. The union’s Lagos spokesperson, Steven Iwindoye, issued a statement on Sunday, stressing that the ongoing fare reductions and the unfair treatment of drivers by companies like Bolt, Uber, Indrive, and Rida have reached an intolerable level. He pointed out that the only way forward is for drivers to unite and take action.

The statement emphasized, “We call on all drivers, regardless of union affiliation, to participate in the upcoming protest. We cannot afford to have drivers undermining the effort by continuing to work and accept the unfair conditions. The protest’s success relies on the unity and solidarity of all drivers.” Iwindoye also acknowledged that some drivers have been hesitant to take a stand, or even worked against the interests of their fellow drivers. He views the protest as an opportunity to unite, despite differences, for a common cause.

“While we await the announcement of the protest date, drivers can take action by expressing their dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs. Writing to Bolt and registering our displeasure with the 50% price slash is a crucial step. This will demonstrate our collective dissatisfaction and prepare the ground for the upcoming protest.”

Iwindoye further urged, “When the protest date is announced, we must stand together and use our collective power to bring about change. This may require drivers to take bold action and assert their rights. By doing so, we can create a better future for ourselves and the entire ride-hailing industry.”

He concluded with a call to unity, stating, “We urge all AUATON members and drivers to unite and demand fair treatment from ride-hailing companies. Together, we can bring about the change we deserve.”