By Okechukwu Nwanguma
When the Nigeria Police Act 2020 was signed into law, it was widely applauded as a milestone in the long struggle for police reform.
For once, Nigeria had a modern legal framework promising to steer policing toward accountability, professionalism, and respect for human rights. Yet, five years on, a critical piece of the puzzle remains conspicuously absent: the Police Regulations.
These Regulations are more than bureaucratic formalities—they are the operational lifeblood of the Police Act. They spell out the rules of engagement, recruitment, promotion, discipline, and general conduct within the Force. But the current Police Regulations still in use are relics of colonial rule—grossly outdated and fundamentally at odds with the progressive spirit and provisions of the 2020 Act.
Although the Federal Ministry of Justice has completed its review of a revised draft and made it’s observation to the necessary stakeholders, the protracted delay in finalising and gazetting the new Regulations has already exacted a heavy toll. It has created legal uncertainty, hindered reform implementation, and fostered institutional resistance.
A prime example of this resistance is the ongoing tussle over police recruitment. Despite a clear Court of Appeal judgment affirming that the Police Service Commission (PSC)—not the Nigeria Police Force—is constitutionally empowered to recruit, the NPF continues to assert control, flouting both the law and judicial pronouncements. This clash reflects not just a turf war, but a deeper unwillingness to embrace reform and submit to democratic oversight.
Compounding this is the problematic composition of the PSC itself. By law, the Commission is meant to be inclusive and independent—comprising representatives from the judiciary, media, civil society, private sector, and women’s groups. Instead, the current PSC is dominated by retired police officers and judges, including a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police as its Chairperson. This setup erodes public trust and fundamentally compromises the Commission’s credibility as an oversight body.
Civil society and reform advocates must insist on restoring the Commission’s integrity. This includes strict adherence to the PSC Act in appointing members, introducing safeguards against conflict of interest, and enforcing minimum qualifications, such as age limits and a clear bar on appointing retired police officers to head the Commission. Oversight bodies must be independent both in structure and in spirit.
As Nigeria edges toward the 2027 elections, these reforms are no longer optional—they are urgent. To restore confidence in the Nigeria Police Force and ensure it serves as a neutral, professional, and rights-respecting institution, the following steps must be taken without further delay:
Finalise and gazette the revised Police Regulations. Reconstitute the Police Service Commission in line with its enabling Act. Institutionalise reforms that ensure independence and eliminate conflicts of interest. Delay is not just counterproductive—it is dangerous. Every day that passes without action deepens dysfunction and undermines public safety. The time to act is now.
Okechukwu Nwanguma is a human rights activist and the Executive Director of RULAAC
