Abuja — Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has called for a radical reform of Nigeria’s policing system, including a minimum monthly salary of N500,000 for all police officers.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, Sowore stressed that improving the welfare of the police is central to addressing the country’s security challenges.
“Our position is that no policeman should be paid less than N500,000 per month,” he said. “Before you ask if it’s fiscally sustainable, consider the cost of not doing so. Compare that with what we’re spending on counter-insurgency in one state alone.”
He linked the widespread insecurity — including terrorism, kidnapping, and violent crime — to the chronic underfunding and poor welfare of the police, which has weakened internal security and led to excessive reliance on military intervention.
“If you invest in policing, within a year, you’ll reduce terrorism by 70%, kidnapping by 80%, and achieve near-zero crime nationwide,” Sowore claimed.
He also criticised the government’s heavy investment in military hardware, arguing that redirecting such funds into policing would yield more sustainable results.
“You know how much an Apache helicopter costs? The same money can uplift police welfare and capability. Instead, we spend it to bomb our own territory,” he said.
Sowore argued that a properly equipped and well-paid police force could perform effectively like its counterparts abroad. He emphasised that the fight for better police remuneration was about strengthening internal security, not just supporting retired officers.
“You cannot leave police in this condition and expect protection. That’s why insecurity thrives. The real question is not ‘how do we sustain better police pay,’ but ‘how are we sustaining insecurity?’”
The activist urged Nigerian authorities to rethink their security spending priorities and treat internal policing as a strategic investment, not a burden.
“Security is not a luxury — it’s a foundational need. We’re failing to invest at the right level, and that’s why the system is broken,” he said.
Sowore’s proposal has sparked nationwide debate. While some Nigerians support the idea as a potential solution to police corruption and low morale, others question the feasibility of such a wage amid Nigeria’s fiscal challenges.
Despite the concerns, Sowore remained firm in his position: “You sustain insecurity when you fail to sustain the people who are meant to protect you.”
As discussions around security reform intensify, his comments are expected to continue shaping public discourse on how best to rebuild trust and effectiveness within Nigeria’s law enforcement system.
