When IGP Kayode Egbetokun assumed the helm of Nigeria’s Police Force on 19 June 2023, he inherited what he described as a “battered” institution, lacking morale, wedged with bureaucracy, and plagued by poor welfare structures.
Since then, he has launched what may be the most comprehensive police welfare overhaul in recent memory. But while laudable in vision and bold in implementation, it also faces structural and funding challenges that require sustained political will.
1. Financial and Insurance Reforms
Egbetokun dramatically expanded benefits disbursement: in January 2024, ₦2.86 billion was paid to 785 beneficiaries under the IGP Family Welfare Scheme; in September 2024, a larger ₦5.75 billion was distributed to over 2,100 families—the largest single disbursement recorded
He streamlined the Nigeria Police Welfare Insurance Scheme (NPWIS), allowing bereaved families to file claims remotely and receive faster payouts.
This shift represents a vital reorientation, from bureaucratic despair to responsive support, and sends a powerful message that the Force values its human capital.
2. Health Initiatives & Mental Wellness
Health care, once inaccessible to most police families, has seen tangible change. Mobile clinics were donated via international partnerships, reaching remote regions and offering critical services to officers and local residents alike
At Police Hospital Eleyele, Ibadan, a newly commissioned building with physiotherapy facilities further bolstered capacity to serve both officers and civilians
Even more notable is the growing focus on mental health: at the 2025 CARSPO retreat, Egbetokun touted plans for a national mental health survey and a formal policy, acknowledging the psychological toll of policing in Nigeria and the need for structured support
3. Housing and Infrastructure
Recognising that safe accommodation underpins officer morale, Egbetokun launched a police housing scheme and convened the first-ever Police Housing Summit. Since mid‑2024, this initiative has funded the rehabilitation of dilapidated barracks and the construction of new accommodations around the country
At the command level, newly built Divisional headquarters also include upgrades, often in partnership with communities
4. Recognition, Training & Career Development
The introduction of the Nigeria Police Awards and Commendations in early 2025 has injected a culture of recognition and professionalism. Categories range from “Crime Buster of the Year” to “Investigator of the Year,” with transparent nomination processes set by independent oversight partners
Training, too, is getting overhauled. Egbetokun has advocated for specialised spaces and curriculum reform, especially in cybercrime, intelligence, counter-terrorism, and forensic investigation, often facilitated via international collaboration.
5. Strategic Challenges & Broader Implications
Egbetokun has persistently called on the National Assembly to remove the Budget “envelope system,” allowing the NPF greater fiscal flexibility and the creation of a standing special operations fund
Without durable budget reforms, welfare programs remain vulnerable to fiscal drift.
