The Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Hashimu Argungu, has declared that the Commission’s new leadership is introducing critical reforms and remains ready to make the necessary sacrifices to reposition the PSC as a credible, transparent, and people-focused institution.
Argungu made this known at the closing ceremony of a two-day workshop on strengthening institutional capacity for effective police oversight, held in Abuja for board members, directors, and departmental heads of the Commission. The training, organised with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO), was part of the Supporting Police Accountability and Transformation Project (SPAAT). It aimed to sharpen internal governance, deepen public accountability, and reinforce the PSC’s mandate in line with global best practices.
While acknowledging the efforts of staff and board members, Argungu stressed that institutional success depends on shared responsibility. He said the Commission belongs to both management and staff, and that if employees do not individually show concern for the Commission’s growth, the institution risks failure. He noted that the new Board is determined to entrench reforms that would not only make the PSC work for the nation but also meet the expectations of its personnel.
Argungu reaffirmed the Board’s openness to constructive criticism and encouraged staff to embrace innovation and transparency. He said that sharing ideas and working together as a team would remain a central focus of the new administration, adding that the Commission is bigger than any single individual and must be safeguarded through dedication and accountability.
Also speaking at the closing ceremony, Honourable Commissioner Paul Adamu Galumje, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court representing the Judiciary in the Commission, said the workshop had equipped participants with fresh knowledge and determination to improve service delivery. He noted that everyone in attendance was now “galvanised to make a difference,” and extended gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing them to serve the country. Justice Galumje also paid tribute to the leadership of the Senate and House Committees on Police Affairs for their continued support and partnership.
UNDP representative Napoleon Enayaba commended the new PSC leadership for demonstrating genuine commitment to reform. He praised the energy and participation of staff during the training sessions and said that serving citizens demands flexibility, innovation, and focus. He assured participants of UNDP’s continued partnership with the Commission and expressed confidence that the collaboration would yield tangible results.
The workshop featured a series of expert-led presentations focused on key aspects of police oversight, public accountability, and institutional performance. Topics covered during the two-day training included the PSC’s mandate and legal framework, mechanisms for strengthening police oversight and accountability, implementation of recruitment and disciplinary policies, internal performance management, complaint handling, digital transformation, and strategies for sustainable funding and partnerships.
The PSC said the workshop was a strategic entry point into broader security and democratic reforms in Nigeria, reinforcing its role as a key institution in ensuring a rights-based, professional, and accountable policing system. Participants departed the programme with renewed resolve to deliver on the Commission’s mandate and meet the expectations of Nigerians.