Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Thursday said decentralised policing is crucial to tackling Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
He added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to implementing the reform once the necessary legal framework is in place.
Idris made the remarks during a meeting with the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), led by its Chairman, Major General Chris Olukolade, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
“It is the desire of President Tinubu to establish State Police as soon as practicable in this country. The time has indeed come for that,” the Minister said, noting that the President has appealed to the National Assembly to enact the appropriate legislation.
He stressed that strengthening internal security must be paired with robust national communication systems, especially in an era where crises are influenced as much by the spread of information as by events themselves. “In today’s digital age, crises are defined not only by events but also by how information travels. Digital innovation is therefore central to timely, accurate, and coordinated communication, particularly during moments of national significance,” he said.
Idris welcomed the Centre’s proposals, including the creation of a National Crisis Communication Hub and a Crisis Communication Performance Index, describing them as initiatives aligned with the Ministry’s mandate. He assured the delegation that the Ministry would review the November 2025 National Symposium on Digital Innovation and Crisis Communication report and explore ways to integrate its recommendations into ongoing Federal Government reforms.
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He further emphasised that while artificial intelligence, social media and other digital tools are indispensable in modern communication, they must be deployed responsibly, honestly and patriotically, balancing freedom of expression with national interest and public trust.
Earlier in his remarks, Major General Olukolade (Rtd) expressed appreciation to the Minister for his support and encouragement toward advancing crisis communication reforms in Nigeria. “Your gesture added so much weight and the necessary authority and integrity to a gathering that brought together spokespersons, technology experts, security personnel, scholars and media professionals from across the country,” he said, referring to the National Symposium held in November 2025.
The Chairman noted that the symposium produced comprehensive and actionable recommendations to modernise Nigeria’s crisis communication system through stronger infrastructure, enhanced capacity, and inclusive governance. He appealed for the Minister’s endorsement of the proposed National Crisis Communication Hub and the performance index framework, which he described as critical to real-time monitoring, to coordinated responses to misinformation, and to strengthening institutional accountability.
The Minister commended the Centre for its role in fostering inter-agency collaboration, research, training and media monitoring, including its monthly Strategic Communication Inter-Agency Policy Committee meetings conducted in partnership with the Office of the National Security Adviser. He reiterated that the government cannot work alone and welcomed constructive engagement with credible civil society organisations and professional bodies to strengthen Nigeria’s communication architecture.
In attendance were the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam, Director, Public Relations and Protocol, Suleiman Haruna, PhD, the Special Assistant, Administration, to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Dr Sunday Baba, Rear Admiral Aminu Almu, Director Admin, Centre for Crisis Communication, Commodore Kabir Aliyu, Executive Secretary, Centre for Crisis Communication, Alh. Yushua’u Shuaib, founder of PRNIgeriger, and other top management staff.
