The Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), DIG Hashimu Argungu (Rtd), has pledged that the current Governing Board is committed to introducing positive innovations and making genuine sacrifices to ensure the Commission delivers on its mandate of promoting accountability, transparency, and rights-based policing in Nigeria.
Argungu made this declaration on Saturday at the close of a two-day workshop in Abuja, themed “Strengthening Institutional Capacity for Effective Police Oversight.” The event, organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under its Supporting Police Accountability and Transformation Project (SPAAT), also received backing from the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO).
Addressing Board members, directors, and heads of departments and units of the Commission, DIG Argungu said, “We are ready to make the necessary sacrifices to make this Commission work, not only for the nation but also for the staff who are integral to its success.” He emphasized that the PSC belongs to everyone and called on staff to individually commit to the progress of the institution.
While noting the efforts of the Board in aligning the Commission with global best practices, he assured that the leadership remains open to constructive criticism and inclusive ideas. “The Commission is bigger than any of us,” he stressed, calling for unity of purpose and the continued exchange of ideas between management and staff.
Also speaking at the closing ceremony, Hon. Justice Paul Adamu Galumje (Rtd), Supreme Court Justice and Commissioner representing the Judiciary at the PSC, expressed optimism that participants were now well-prepared to bring meaningful change to the Commission. “We are returning to work fully galvanised to meet the expectations of Nigerians,” he said, while thanking the President for appointing the Board members and commending the support from both the Senate and House Committees on Police Affairs.
UNDP representative Napoleon Enayaba praised the level of commitment displayed by the new PSC Board and its staff during the workshop. “Serving the people requires dynamism, and I can see that this Board is committed. We remain partners with the Commission on this journey,” he stated.
The workshop featured seven paper presentations covering key areas including:
* Understanding the PSC Mandate and Legal Framework (facilitated by DIG Argungu)
* Strengthening Oversight and Accountability in the Police Force (Dr. Otive Igbuzor)
* Effective Policy Implementation for Recruitment, Promotion, and Discipline (Ms. Ime Olufunmilayo Enang)
* Strengthening Institutional Governance and Performance Management (Dr. Joe Abah)
* Enhancing Complaints Management and Public Trust (Ms. Odinaka Lagi)
* Digital Transformation for Effective Police Oversight (Dr. Amina Sambo-Magaji)
* Funding, Partnerships, and Sustainability Strategies (Mr. Sean Tait)
The two-day retreat served as a strategic entry point toward strengthening democratic governance and internal reforms in Nigeria’s policing architecture, with a strong emphasis on institutional performance and public accountability.