Police Affairs Minister Says Budget For Police Information System Before Tinubu

Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, Minister of Police Affairs, revealed on Tuesday that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has received a comprehensive budget proposal to sustain the West African Police Information System (WAPIS), which is currently being considered.

The announcement came during WAPIS’ formal handover ceremony to national and regional authorities at the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja.

WAPIS, a European Union-sponsored initiative implemented by INTERPOL, aims to improve the security information infrastructure of police and other relevant agencies throughout the West African subregion.

The 12-year project aims to improve information sharing about crime and criminal activity.

Minister Gaidam emphasised Nigeria’s unwavering support for regional security cooperation and information sharing. “Today’s ceremony represents Nigeria’s strong commitment and active participation in regional security cooperation through the WAPIS Programme,” he said.

“Let us continue to build on these achievements and work together to sustain the WAPIS initiative, ensuring improved security for Nigeria and the West African Region.”

Gaidam acknowledged the impending end of EU funding and highlighted his ministry’s proactive steps.

“Understanding the importance of sustainability, the Ministry of Police Affairs, in partnership with the Nigeria Police Force, has proactively submitted a comprehensive budget proposal to His Excellency, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he stated.

“I am pleased to report that this proposal is currently receiving commendable attention from the Office of the President.”

Gaidam also mentioned the Data Collection and Recording Centre (DACORE)’s stable internet connectivity and a recent inter-agency workshop on information sharing among law enforcement agencies, which resulted in a communique presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

Dr. Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, was represented by Amb. Abdel-Fatal Musa, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, who highlighted the region’s significant threats.

He acknowledged that WAPIS had successfully bridged the information sharing gap, but urged the continuation of the WAPIS agenda.

However, Amb. Musah expressed concern about the slow pace of implementation and the lack of a fully operational regional platform under the WAPIS arrangement.

He emphasised the importance of political will, trust, and reciprocity in intelligence sharing, advocating for the inclusion of information from outside the region to effectively combat transnational crime.

Gautier Mignot, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, praised the project’s success, citing the 750,000 data entries on criminals, stolen vehicles, and fraudulent documents that have resulted in successful law enforcement.

He confirmed the EU’s willingness to share information with ECOWAS and announced that the project has received €38 million in funding across three phases.

Cyril Gout, INTERPOL’s Executive Director for Police Services, emphasised the challenges of aligning legal frameworks and ensuring consistent information sharing across all ECOWAS countries. He emphasised that the handover ushers in a new era of digitalised, information-driven security in the region.

The future sustainability of WAPIS is now dependent on President Tinubu’s approval of the budget proposal and ECOWAS member states’ continued commitment to prioritising regional security cooperation and information sharing.

The system’s effectiveness will be determined by addressing existing infrastructure gaps, coordinating efforts, and emphasising the importance of reciprocity in international intelligence sharing.