FG, Nigeria Police sign MoU to connect all police stations with digital infrastructures, internet services

All Nigerian Police Stations in the 774 local government councils across Nigeria will be connected with digital infrastructure for Internet access, deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other support services to enhance police operations in the country.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the deployment of fibre optic infrastructure to Police Stations was signed on Wednesday by the Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani and the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, Mr Muhammed Sheidu.

The documents were signed at the Minister's office in Abuja, at the Galaxy Backbone Limited building.

According to Dr Tijani, the MoU signals the transformation of Nigeria Police Force (NPF) stations across the country into more advanced technology hubs for effective policing in line with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda for digital transformation.

Dr Tijani said the government project which is part of Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the digital infrastructure Project BRIDGE would provide a strategic opportunity to enhance the operational effectiveness of the national Police Force.

He said the project would make significant impacts within the next year, as the government hopes to deploy digital fibre optic infrastructure across all wards in Nigeria, stressing that Police stations would benefit significantly.

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"Building on the framework outlined in the Terms of Reference for the National Anchor Institutions Connectivity Programme (NAICP), this Technical Assistance (TA) will support the design of a connected police stations initiative.

"The programme will leverage national fibre backbone assets, geospatial mapping, and emerging technologies to modernize policing and improve public safety outcomes," the Minister said.

According to the Minister, "police stations are critical anchor institutions whose connectivity gaps limit real-time communication, data sharing, and coordinated response.

"The NAICP aims to systematically connect priority institutions such as “schools, hospitals, police stations, and government offices to the national fibre backbone”.

"Strengthening digital connectivity for police facilities aligns with national security priorities and supports the broader digital transformation agenda," Dr Tijani added.

Providing details of the MoU, the Minister said technical assistance such as developing a national GIS database of police stations and facilities, including geolocation infrastructures status and proximity to fibre points of presence, as well as capacity building for policemen are embedded in the project.

The Minister who said a joint committee between the Ministry and the Police would be inaugurated to drive the project, commended the support of the World Bank and the European Commission on the project.

He described the project as a robust collaboration between the two government institutions to ensure that resources are deployed on both sides effectively and efficiently in the service of Nigerians.

Our Correspondent gathered that the project would further explore integration pathways with the National Data Exchange Platform to enable secure data flows, case management, and inter-agency collaboration.

It would facilitate the deployment of AI in accordance with Nigeria's policy and ensure "the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support policing functions such as predictive analytics, incident reporting, and digital evidence management."

In his remarks at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Police Trust Fund, Mr Mohammed Sheidu, said the MoU was a game changer for the police, stating that the authority had been trying to modernise the Police before now.

"It is not just signing of MoU, but a collaboration that will bring lots of fruitful gains and transformation to the Force. It will also ensure effective and efficient police operations in Nigeria " Mr Sheidu said.