President Bola Tinubu says the establishment of state police has become inevitable as part of efforts to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Speaking at the presidential villa on Tuesday while receiving a delegation of prominent Katsina citizens led by Governor Dikko Radda, Tinubu said his administration would adopt decentralised policing to strengthen security at the grassroots.

The president directed security agencies to review their operations in Katsina following renewed banditry in the state and announced the deployment of advanced military hardware, including drones and surveillance equipment.

“The security challenges that we are facing are surmountable. Yes, we have porous borders. We inherited weaknesses that could have been addressed earlier. It is a challenge that we must fix, and we are facing it,” Tinubu said.

“I have today directed all the security agencies to energise further and look at the strategies. We have approved the additional acquisition of drones. I am reviewing all the aspects of security; I have to create state police. We are looking at that holistically. We will defeat insecurity.”

Tinubu added that the federal government is considering upgrading the recently deployed forest guards in Katsina into a more structured force.

Buhari’s Legacy

The president also assured the delegation that his administration would preserve the legacy of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“He didn’t hand over a defeated country, a battered political structure, but a legacy of success, and that is the most important thing,” he said.

“We just have to continue praying that Almighty Allah should grant him Aljannah Firdausi and give the rest of us the ability to stand very strong and push Nigeria forward.”

Katsina’s Demands

Governor Radda thanked Tinubu for his continued support to the state, noting that Katsina needs more security interventions, youth empowerment, and infrastructure.

Former Governor Aminu Masari commended Tinubu for honouring Buhari with a “true state funeral,” while Ibrahim Ida, the Wazirin Katsina, called for the upgrade of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport and greater security focus on southern Katsina.

The move towards state policing follows earlier steps by the federal government. On February 15, 2024, a committee was inaugurated to explore its creation. Vice-President Kashim Shettima later confirmed that all 36 states had supported the initiative, though 20 were yet to submit reports.

The Nigeria Police Force has appointed Benjamin Hundeyin, spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, as the new Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO).

Hundeyin takes over from Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Muyiwa Adejobi, who has been redeployed to Delta State Police Command as deputy commissioner in charge of operations following his promotion.

Police authorities described the appointments as part of routine administrative adjustments aimed at career progression and manpower optimisation, stressing that the changes are neither punitive nor controversial.

Profile of the new FPRO

CSP Hundeyin holds a degree in English Language from Lagos State University and a master’s degree in Legal Criminology and Security Psychology from the University of Ibadan.

He has undergone specialised training in Civil-Military Coordination at the Nigerian Army Leadership Institute, Jaji, and is a member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), International Public Relations Association, and Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPMN).

Hundeyin also served with the United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), gaining experience in peacekeeping and crisis communication.

Appointed Lagos police spokesperson in March 2022, he has since been recognised for proactive engagement with the public and media.

New national assignment

As Force PRO, Hundeyin is expected to spearhead the police’s national communication strategy, improve crisis management, and strengthen transparency and public trust through strategic messaging.

Nigeria’s new secondary school curriculum will introduce modules on journalism, programming, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and fact-checking, according to details released on Wednesday.

Dada Olusegun, senior special adviser to the president on social media, shared excerpts of the yet-to-be-unveiled curriculum document via his verified social media handle.

The new curriculum, which applies to both junior and senior secondary schools, is part of government efforts to modernise education and align learning with global digital and professional trends.

Breakdown of the curriculum

According to the document, journalism will now be taught under English Language at the senior secondary level, while programming is spread across both junior and senior cadres.

Digital literacy has also been expanded to include artificial intelligence and robotics in senior classes.

For junior secondary school (JSS 1–3), subjects include:

1. Mathematics & Measurement (covering algebra, geometry, statistics, and more)
2. English Language (essay writing, grammar, comprehension, oral skills)
3. Integrated Science (physics, chemistry, biology, earth science, lab safety)
4. Digital Literacy & Coding (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Python basics, Scratch, robotics kits)
5. Social Studies (history, geography, civics, economy, entrepreneurship basics, global issues)
6. Languages (mother tongue, French/Arabic)
7. Creative Arts (drama, crafts, music, film basics)
8. Physical & Health Education (fitness, nutrition, reproductive health, drug abuse awareness).

For senior secondary school (SS 1–3), highlights include:

1. English & Communication (academic writing, journalism, fact-checking, public speaking)
2. Technology & Innovation (Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, data science, AI & robotics, cybersecurity)
3. Research & Project Work (final-year project, data collection, presentation & defence)
4. Social Sciences (economics, government, history, philosophy, entrepreneurship).

Focus on digital and practical skills

The curriculum also introduces modules on digital entrepreneurship, cybersecurity, media production, and mental health awareness.

Officials say the new subjects are designed to equip students with both academic and practical skills needed to navigate the evolving global economy.

The Federal Ministry of Education is expected to formally launch the curriculum in the coming weeks.