The Nigeria Police Force has signalled a decisive shift in its approach to tackling insecurity, as the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, joined academics and security experts in advocating for a technology-driven strategy to combat rising threats across the country.
The call was made on Monday in Abuja during an event held in honour of Peter Olumuji, who recently earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Security and Strategic Studies from Nasarawa State University. The gathering, which brought together top security minds and scholars, quickly evolved into a broader conversation about the future of Nigeria’s security architecture.
Olumuji, who serves as secretary of the FCT Administration Command and Control Centre, represents a new wave of security professionals leveraging data and technology to address complex threats. The centre itself was established to enhance security coordination within the Federal Capital Territory by aggregating and analysing intelligence feeds from drones, closed-circuit television systems, and other surveillance technologies.
Chairing the event, Disu underscored the growing importance of intellectual capacity and specialised training within modern policing. He urged officers across ranks to pursue academic certification, noting that the complexity of today’s security challenges requires more than conventional field experience.
Describing Olumuji—popularly known as “Mr Sharp Sharp”—as a model officer, the IGP highlighted his reputation for diligence and efficiency, praising his ability to execute assignments with precision and persistence. According to him, such qualities, when combined with academic depth, are essential for building a more responsive and effective security system.
Also speaking at the event, Haruna Ayuba, vice-chancellor of Bingham University and supervisor of Olumuji’s doctoral thesis, stressed the critical role of advanced training in addressing insecurity. He noted that programmes in security and strategic studies are increasingly vital in equipping experts with the analytical tools needed to anticipate and neutralise threats before they escalate.
Ayuba commended Olumuji’s commitment to genuine scholarship, contrasting it with the growing tendency among some students to pursue degrees without prioritising knowledge. He revealed that their academic collaboration extended beyond supervision, leading to the joint publication of research papers—an indication of Olumuji’s dedication to intellectual growth.
From a military perspective, Stephen Okore of the Nigerian Army University emphasised the need for professionalism within security agencies. He argued that competence, discipline, and continuous learning are indispensable in confronting Nigeria’s evolving security landscape, describing Olumuji as both a capable leader and a respected colleague during their academic journey.
Institutional reforms within the FCT’s security framework also came into focus, as Adamu Gwary, director of the FCTA Security Services Department, linked Olumuji’s achievement to broader structural changes introduced under Nyesom Wike. Gwary noted that the department is increasingly attracting highly educated professionals, including PhD holders, a trend he believes will enhance strategic thinking and improve the quality of security responses.
He argued that the infusion of intellectual capacity into the system would drive more innovative and proactive approaches to security challenges, particularly at a time when traditional methods are proving insufficient against sophisticated threats.
In his response, Olumuji offered perhaps the most direct articulation of the emerging consensus: that Nigeria must transition from a manpower-heavy security model to one that integrates advanced technology at its core. Drawing from his doctoral research, he stressed that over-reliance on physical personnel not only limits operational efficiency but also exposes security operatives to unnecessary risks.
According to him, the adoption of modern tools—ranging from surveillance systems to data analytics platforms—would significantly reduce dependence on boots-on-the-ground operations while improving response times and intelligence accuracy. More importantly, he noted, such a shift would help preserve the lives of military and law enforcement personnel who routinely face danger in the field.
The discussion reflects a growing recognition among policymakers and practitioners that Nigeria’s security challenges—ranging from insurgency to urban crime—require a more sophisticated and technology-enabled response. While manpower remains essential, the consensus emerging from the Abuja event suggests that the future of security lies in the intelligent fusion of human expertise and technological innovation.
As the country continues to grapple with complex and evolving threats, the push for a tech-driven security framework may well define the next phase of Nigeria’s fight against insecurity.
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