The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) called for the establishment of 3,000 new police stations across the country.

They made the call at Infrastructure Dialogue 2026, a programme organised for entrepreneurs by Deutsche Partners Holding , held yesterday in Abuja, emphasising that the existing security infrastructure is grossly inadequate for Nigeria’s growing population.

Represented by the Commissioner of Police in charge of Works, Obiora Oranwusi, the IGP stated that the Nigeria Police Force currently operates only about 2,000 police stations nationwide, a figure he said cannot effectively serve a population of more than 200 million people.

IGP Disu told the gathering that the scale of the country’s security infrastructure deficit requires urgent intervention through public-private partnerships, development finance institutions and capital market instruments.

He said, “The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission has identified the need for 3,000 new police stations, 1,000 new prisons, and 170 new barracks—a scale of investment that necessitates PPPs, DFIs, and capital market instruments.

“As of today, we have only about 2,000 police stations nationwide. These deficits directly affect operational effectiveness and must be addressed through sustainable financing models.

“The Police is undergoing a strategic reorientation—one that positions us as a proactive enabler of national development.

Our mandate extends beyond crime response; it encompasses the creation of a stable, predictable environment in which legitimate enterprise can flourish.”

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s education system through the National Education Data Initiative (NEDI), describing accurate data as a critical tool for improving planning, transparency, and service delivery in the sector.

Officials say the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, especially in the areas of human capital development and social investment.

Speaking at the workshop, government representatives noted that the initiative is being advanced through the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

They explained that improving access to credible educational information would help strengthen accountability and ensure better educational outcomes for Nigerian children.

Participants stressed the strong link between education, family stability, child protection, and national development, noting that every educated child contributes to a stronger and more prosperous society.

The workshop also coincides with activities marking the International Day of Families and preparations for the 2026 National Children’s Day celebration.

Officials described the workshop as more than a technical engagement, saying it serves as a platform for collaboration towards building an inclusive, responsive, and people-centred education system.

According to them, properly identifying, supporting, and educating children remains essential to achieving peace, productivity, and sustainable national growth.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, emphasized the importance of data in solving national challenges, particularly in education and correctional services.

He said that data-driven policies had helped the Ministry of Interior significantly reduce the number of inmates in correctional facilities since 2023, and explained that reliable statistics revealed underlying social issues affecting inmates, including poverty and food insecurity, adding that proper analysis and understanding of problems are necessary for lasting solutions.

Ojo however described education as the foundation for national development and called for broad support for the NEDI initiative to help build a new Nigeria.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the appointment of Ms. Adedayo Benjamin Laniyi as the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development (MBNCWD).

The President also constituted the Governing Council of the Centre for an initial term of four years.

According to a statement from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the appointment takes effect from April 18, 2026, in line with the provisions of Section 7 (1) and (3) of the National Centre for Women Development (Amendment) Act, 2023.

The letter conveying the appointment was signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, CON.

Governing Council Members

President Tinubu approved the following as members of the Governing Council:

• Princess Joan Jummai Idonije — Chairman
• Ms. Lois Auta — Member
• Hon. Jamila Sarki — Member
• Aisha Baiyee — Member
• Hon. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas — Member
• Hon. Princess Anne Agom-Eze — Member

President Tinubu congratulated Ms. Adedayo Benjamin Laniyi and all members of the Governing Council on their appointments and wished them success in their new roles.