The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu has reaffirmed the importance of intellectual excellence in modern policing following the success of Nigeria Police Academy cadets at the 2026 RIL Campus Crown Awards debate competition.
Disu, congratulated the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State, after its cadets emerged winners of the highly competitive debate contest, defeating participants from several universities and tertiary institutions across Kano State.
The debate formed part of the 2026 RIL Campus Crown Awards, a youth-focused initiative designed to provide students with opportunities to showcase their talents through leadership debates, sports competitions and other developmental activities aimed at promoting critical thinking, teamwork and responsible citizenship.
In a statement, the Inspector-General described the achievement as a strong endorsement of the Academy’s academic and leadership development programmes, noting that intellectual capacity remains an indispensable component of effective and contemporary policing.
“The achievement is a testament to the effectiveness of the Academy’s academic and leadership development programmes. Intellectual excellence remains a critical component of modern policing,” the IGP stated.
He commended the cadets for distinguishing themselves through exceptional analytical reasoning, eloquence and public speaking skills, describing them as worthy ambassadors of both the Nigeria Police Academy and the Nigeria Police Force.
“The cadets have demonstrated outstanding intellectual prowess and have served as worthy ambassadors of the institution and the Nigeria Police Force. Their performance reflects the values of excellence, discipline and professionalism that the Academy seeks to instill,” he said.
The competition attracted some of the brightest students from universities and tertiary institutions across Kano State, with participants engaging in rigorous debates on issues of public interest. However, the Police Academy team emerged victorious after impressing judges with their depth of knowledge, confidence and persuasive arguments.
The IGP encouraged the cadets to remain committed to excellence and continue upholding the values that earned them recognition at the competition.
“I encourage them to sustain the culture of excellence, discipline and professionalism that has distinguished them and brought honour to the Nigeria Police Force,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Commandant of the Nigeria Police Academy, AIG Patrick Atayero, lauded the victorious cadets during a reception held in their honour at the Academy.
He described the victory as a reflection of the institution’s unwavering commitment to producing well-rounded police officers equipped with both professional competence and intellectual capacity to serve the nation effectively.
“This remarkable achievement has brought honour to the Academy and further demonstrates our commitment to producing officers who possess not only professional competence but also the intellectual capacity required to address the complexities of modern policing,” Atayero said.
The Commandant praised the cadets for their dedication and hard work, noting that their success underscored the growing reputation of the Academy as a centre of excellence in leadership and police education.
He urged them to remain focused on their academic and professional development, stressing that the Nigeria Police Force would continue to invest in initiatives that promote learning, leadership and character development among future officers.
