President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new campus of the Nigeria Police Academy in Erinja, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, alongside a N15 billion take-off grant for the institution.
The approval was disclosed on April 20, 2026, in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, the establishment of the new police academy campus is expected to strengthen institutional governance, modern policing education, and national security.
What they are saying
The Presidency said the approval aligns with the provisions of the Nigeria Police Academy (Establishment) Act, 2021, which provides for the expansion of the Wudil-based academy into multiple campuses nationwide.
- President Tinubu “also approved a special take-off grant of N15 billion for the college.”
- The government added that the funding will support critical infrastructure and training needs, noting that “the intervention fund will be sourced from the TETFund 2026 allocation to finance priority infrastructure, academic facilities, student accommodation, and core training assets.”
More insights
The decision followed a review of key factors, including student intake capacity, funding constraints, academic quality assurance, and the long-term manpower needs of the Nigeria Police Force, which is currently expanding its workforce.
According to the statement, the siting of the campus in Erinja was influenced by these considerations.
It added that a high-level consultative meeting involving the Minister of Police Affairs, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, officials of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission recommended the location.
- “President Tinubu believes the expansion will strengthen institutional governance, modern policing education and national security.”
What you should know
The move comes amid growing calls to modernise the Nigeria Police Force and better equip it to tackle rising security challenges across the country.
- A Nairametrics report notes that at least 4,722 people were kidnapped in 997 incidents between mid-2024 and mid-2025, with the government paying at least N2.56 billion for ransom between July 2024 and June 2025 to free abductees.
- Recent international reports alleged that the Federal Government paid as much as N2 billion in ransom and released two top Boko Haram commanders as part of negotiations to secure the release of 230 schoolchildren and staff abducted from St. Mary’s Boarding School in Niger State.
These insecurity incidents occurred despite the fact that in November 2025, President Tinubu declared a nationwide security emergency and directed security agencies, including the police and armed forces, to recruit additional personnel.
In February 2026, it was reported that the Police Service Commission and the Nigeria Police Force would commence physical and credential screening for applicants in the ongoing recruitment of 50,000 constables on March 9, 2026.
