Nigeria Launches Ambitious Drive for Smart Policing through Strategic Tech Partnership between GBB and NPTF

 

The Federal Government of Nigeria has signaled a transformative shift in its approach to policing and national security through a strategic alliance between Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) and the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF). This partnership is aimed at establishing smart police stations across the country, designed to incorporate cutting-edge digital infrastructure into law enforcement.

At a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony held in Abuja on Friday, leaders from both agencies expressed optimism about the significant impact the initiative would have on Nigeria’s digital and security landscape. The event served as the official launchpad for a technological overhaul expected to revolutionize policing nationwide.

Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju, the Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone, described the collaboration as a major leap in Nigeria’s digital evolution. He noted that the establishment of smart police stations will introduce intelligent systems capable of drastically improving operational efficiency, real-time surveillance, and citizen engagement.

Professor Adeyanju emphasized that the initiative will rely on GBB’s robust digital infrastructure, including its expansive fibre-optic network, Enterprise Long-Term Evolution (eLTE) systems, and secure cloud services. These tools, he said, will be central to delivering a technologically empowered police force capable of addressing modern challenges in law enforcement.

“The smart police stations will not just be buildings with upgraded facilities. They will be hubs of innovation, equipped with surveillance systems, emergency communication management platforms, artificial intelligence modules, and strong cybersecurity frameworks,” he said.

The goal is to strengthen responsiveness, boost transparency, and rebuild public trust through digitized policing methods. By reducing delays in data retrieval and enabling swift communication between stations, the smart systems are expected to close long-standing gaps in Nigeria’s security architecture.

Rather than functioning as a typical top-down government directive, the project is a strategic collaboration rooted in shared objectives. Professor Adeyanju stressed that inter-agency synergy is essential for tackling the country’s complex security and development issues. He called the partnership a model for how public sector institutions can pool resources and expertise for maximum national benefit.

Mohammed Sheidu, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, echoed these sentiments and described the agreement as both historic and symbolic. He reiterated the pressing need to bring the Nigeria Police Force into alignment with 21st-century global standards.

Sheidu acknowledged the persistent challenges around data management and record-keeping within the police system. The integration of digital tools, he explained, will make data collection and analysis more seamless and accurate, which in turn would support crime prevention and enhance investigative capabilities.

“This partnership is not just about putting new technology in police stations. It is about a holistic transformation of how policing is done in Nigeria,” Sheidu said. “By combining the Trust Fund’s vision with GBB’s technological muscle, we are laying the groundwork for a modern, intelligent police force.”

He also pointed out that the move aligns perfectly with the digital transformation agenda championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The President’s broader vision for a digitized Nigeria includes reforms that foster efficiency, innovation, and transparency in government institutions.

Although no exact timeline was disclosed at the event, both GBB and NPTF confirmed that implementation plans are already in motion. Pilot stations will be developed in key locations to serve as models before scaling the concept nationwide.

As part of the roadmap, training programs for officers will be developed to ensure that personnel can fully utilize the new digital systems. Public engagement campaigns are also expected to accompany the rollout, aimed at educating citizens on how to interface with the new smart police infrastructure.

The announcement has been widely welcomed by policy analysts and civil society groups, many of whom have long called for reforms to modernize the country’s police force. With rising concerns about security and a growing population demanding faster and more accountable public services, the timing of the initiative appears to be strategic.

If successful, the project could serve as a benchmark not only for other sectors in Nigeria but for other African nations seeking to adopt digital-first strategies in governance and security.

This partnership represents a rare convergence of vision, technology, and policy. By bridging the gap between digital innovation and public safety, Nigeria is laying the foundation for a smarter, safer, and more responsive future.