By Adewole Kehinde
“You must be willing to do things today others won’t do, in order to have the things tomorrow others won’t have.” Les Brown
On Tuesday, I came across a piece by Sahara Reporters titled “Zero Funding In 2025: Nigerian Police Commands Starved Of Funds Under Egbetokun, Forced To Extort Public For Survival.”
The report cited “several senior officers within the Nigeria Police Force” as its sources, stating that, so far in 2025, no funds have been released for the routine operations of commands and departments, describing it as an unprecedented situation in the NPF’s history.
The report further said that “Egbetokun’s leadership, they said, is presiding over a force that is operating and thriving on corruption.”
I strongly disagree with that statement. It is on record that on several occasions, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, reiterated the Force’s zero tolerance for extortion, impunity, and corruption from its officers.
In my opinion, the Nigeria Police Force is facing delays in receiving allocated funds due to various factors, including budget constraints and administrative inefficiencies.
The Nigeria police force’s budget frequently fails to cover all of its needs, including capital expenditures, operating costs, and pay. The budget is largely devoted to personnel expenses, leaving little money for other crucial areas.
Additionally, it can take a long time for funds to be allocated and disbursed, which can cause delays for state commands and other operational units. Even when a budget is approved, there are instances of funds not being released to the Nigeria Police, impacting its operational capabilities
The lack of timely funding can significantly impact operational capabilities and the overall effectiveness of the police.
One thing some police personnel must know is that the Budget Office of the Federation is responsible for the provision of a budget and implementation, including fiscal policies of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
I remember during the 2025 budget defence, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, advocated for the creation of a Special Operations Account to finance emergency internal security operations.
The IGP explained that in spite of incremental progress, the appropriations and subsequent releases remained insufficient to meet the operational and institutional needs of the police force.
He stressed that given the vast scope of the responsibilities and the critical nature of their mandate, the financial provisions were inadequate.
He urged the committees to support the establishment and proper funding of this account in the 2025 budget cycle.
Presenting the police’s 2025 budget proposal, the IGP revealed that the original institutional estimate for the fiscal year was N1.896 trillion, but was reviewed downward to N1.252 trillion, a reduction of N644.106 billion.
He highlighted three critical challenges facing the police force: inadequate appropriations, which hindered modernisation efforts and service delivery; the restrictive envelope budgetary system, which failed to account for the force’s expanding mandate; and delays in fund releases.
These delays, he explained, disrupt planning and operational preparedness, making it difficult for the Nigeria Police Force to effectively address internal security challenges.
I strongly support the call by IGP Egbetokun for the Joint Committee on Police Affairs and Police Institutions to remove the Nigeria Police Force from the envelope budgetary regime to allow for more accurate funding projections.
I want to remind the Federal Government that a lack of funding can lead to delays in responding to crime incidents, inadequate resources for investigations, and reduced overall operational effectiveness.
It could also lead to low morale and reduced motivation when police personnel face delays in receiving salaries and other allowances. The reliance on unofficial funding sources and the potential for corruption can erode public trust in the police.
Delays in funding can hinder efforts to implement necessary reforms within the Nigeria police, such as improving training, technology, and operational efficiency.
The media is instrumental in determining public perception and projecting the image of the Nigeria Police Force.
I will urge the media to focus their discussions on police reforms, funding, and policy changes that can shape public opinion and governmental actions regarding the NPF, impacting its reputation as a professional organisation.
In conclusion, the Nigeria Police Force’s reputation can be positively or negatively impacted by the media, which is a potent instrument.
Effective communication, transparency, and community involvement are key for the police in working with the media to project a positive image.
It is also essential for the media to adhere to ethical journalism standards, ensuring balanced reporting that considers the complexities of policing in Nigeria.
Adewole Kehinde is a public affairs analyst based in Abuja. 08166240846. kennyadewole@gmail.com @kennyadewole
