Information and technology expert, Kunle Ibrahim, has lauded President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, through which “he showed political courage by advancing the conversation on state policing, not as a slogan, but as an evolution of Nigeria’s security architecture.”
Speaking at an interview, Ibrahim, chief execitive of Softline Technologies and Services, said insecurity has tested the patience of the citizens and capacity of institutions.
“Banditry, kidnapping, communal violence, and organised crime have exploited distance, slow response times, and overstretched federal structures.
“In acknowledging these realities, the President has chosen pragmatism over pretence. His commitment to state policing recognises a simple truth: security works best when it is closer to the people; yet anchored in national coherence.
“This balance is what distinguishes serious reform from reckless decentralisation. Tinubu’s approach signals to governors, lawmakers, and citizens that empowerment does not mean abdication,” he said.
He noted that states must be enabled to act, but within a framework that preserves constitutional order, professionalism, and accountability, adding this is the essence of the Renewed Hope Agenda; reform that strengthens the federation rather than fractures it.
According to him, the success of state policing will not be determined by legislation alone, it will be determined by readiness.
He said; “Without professional standards, verified personnel, clear command accountability, and trust in who bears arms in the name of the state, even the best intentions can falter.
“This is why wise governments quietly invest in foundations before outcomes.
“One such foundation is officer accountability. Before expanding policing powers, citizens must be confident in the identity, training, and conduct of those entrusted with enforcement.
“This is where initiatives such as the Nigeria Police Officers Digital Identity and Accountability System (NPODIAS) become relevant; not as a public spectacle, but as a behind-the-scenes enabler.
“Properly framed, such a system is not about control; it is about professionalism, discipline, and trust. It ensures that as policing responsibilities grow closer to communities, standards rise; not fall,” he said.
He emphasised that the President’s leadership style reflects an understanding that not all aspects of reform belong in the public square, and that what the citizens deserve are assurances: that rights are protected, that oversight exists, and that reforms serve the public good.
“What must remain discreet are the technical instruments that make those assurances credible. This distinction is the mark of mature governance.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda also emphasizes something often overlooked in national reforms: local capacity. Transformational change is most sustainable when Nigerians build it for Nigeria.
“Companies like Softline Technologies and Services Nigeria Limited (subsidiary of Softline Technologies and Services AB) exemplify the kind of indigenous expertise that can support government-led transformation! quietly, competently, and in alignment with national priorities.
“By leveraging trusted local partners in digital systems, identity management, and institutional modernization, the government strengthens sovereignty while accelerating delivery.
“This approach sends a powerful signal to stakeholders at home and abroad. To governors, it says: you are empowered, but not isolated. To citizens, it says: reform will be felt, not merely announced.
“To partners and investors, it says: Nigeria is serious, structured, and ready. Ultimately, President Tinubu’s push for state policing is not just a security reform; it is a governance statement. It affirms that Nigeria can adapt without losing itself, modernize without destabilizing, and decentralize without disorder.”
