By Kelvin Adegbenga
In a country where public trust in law enforcement has often been shaky at best, the role of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) is not just administrative, it’s symbolic. It signals the tone, direction, and soul of the Nigeria Police Force.
And whether you’re a fan or a critic, one truth is becoming harder to ignore: Kayode Egbetokun, the current IGP, is Nigeria’s best shot at police reform and operational sanity, for now.
Egbetokun didn’t come into office with loud populist promises or the flair of a social media-savvy reformer. Instead, he’s taken a measured, calm, and strategic approach to policing that prioritizes professionalism over politics.
From improving internal discipline to engaging meaningfully with stakeholders, his leadership has started to shift the culture within the force, one that had, for too long, been riddled with inefficiency, brutality, and public distrust.
The Force under his watch has handled several volatile situations, protests, high-profile arrests, and public criticisms, with a level of restraint and coordination that speaks volumes. He’s also intensified efforts on community policing and inter-agency collaboration, which had previously been more theoretical than practical.
Of course, no IGP is perfect. Nigeria’s security challenges are deep-rooted and multifaceted. There are still pockets of rogue policing and public grievances. But compared to predecessors and the political climate in which he operates, Egbetokun stands out as a stabilizing figure in an unstable institution.
So, like him or loathe him, one cannot deny that Kayode Egbetokun is, at present, the most competent and composed IGP Nigeria has had in recent years.
His tenure might not tick every box for every critic, but if Nigeria is serious about policing reform, then giving credit where it’s due is a necessary first step.
Sometimes, leadership doesn’t scream, it quietly delivers. And that’s exactly what Egbetokun is doing.
Kelvin Adegbenga writes from Ikeja, Lagos.
kelvinadegbenga@yahoo.com
@kelvinadegbenga
