Alhaji Musiliu Adeola Smith joined the police as an Assistant Police Superintendent (ASP) in Enugu in 1972. He rose to the position of Inspector General of Police (IGP) in May 1999 and retired in 2002. Today, he is a business with interests in the construction industry, Smith, in this interview, speaks on how he got into the police, his aspirations as well as his success story.

By Ebun Sessou & Dolapo Majekodunmi

Tell us about your beginning

I was born tino the family of Offin/Alakoro in Central Lagos on April 17, 1946. My father, the late Alhaji Liasu Akande Smith, was the first Surveyor General of Lagos State and  National President of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, while my mother was the late Alhaja Abadat Eniola Smith, also a staunch member of the society in her lifetime. I have four siblings; two before and two after me. I have three children; two boys and a girl. I had all my education in Lagos. I come from a family that is richly religious and my family placed very high premium on education. I attended primary school in Alapo from 1952 to 1959, and one of my classmates was the Oba of Lagos. We have been together from In fancy, some  64 years ago. I went to Ansar-Ud-Deen College, Isolo from 1960 to 1964. I went for my “A” Level;  at that period, there were organized tuition courses even in the Ministry of Education. I was also working as an Accounts Clerk at Lagos City Council. After my secondary education, I got admission into the University of Lagos, the Sociology Department. We were the pioneer students of the department, between 1967 and 1970.

I worked briefly after graduation at the Ministry of Works in Lagos State as an Assistant Secretary. At that time, NYSC had not been established. NYSC started in 1973. My father was the first Nigerian Chief Surveryor of Lagos Executive Development Board, LEDB. After he retired from LEDB, he was invited by the government to help in setting up the Survey Department of Lagos State. Lagos State was created in 1967. So, my working years were between April 1,1971 when I joined the Nigeria Police Force and March 2002. I was among the second set of graduates to join the police. I was there for 31 years. I thank God for giving me the grace to climb the ladder and also reach the peak. I was a member of the Provisional Council that handed over to  the civilian government in 1999. Since my retirement, I have set up my private business and I thank God that most of the companies are doing well.

Could you mention some of the businesses?

I own, Metropolitan Construction Company. The company has been involved in the construction of some of the roads in Lagos including the dualisation of Ejigbo Road. Another one is Orange Island Limited in Lekki.

Why did you join the police?

Ex-IGP Musiliu Smith

We were lucky because we grew up at a time the country was stable. Then, we had a currency that was strong. During my secondary years, I took pleasure in reading newspapers and magazines and, at that time, there was a magazine called, “True Detective”. It was a foreign magazine that was reporting  crime; how cases were investigated, progress of investigation made by the police, how suspects were arrested, how they were arraigned in court and how they were convicted. I also believe the course I read helped me when I decided to go into the police.  And I have no regrets because I enjoyed my time there.

So, it was the magazine that made you go into NPF?

Not in totality. Maybe it somehow influenced my personal decision.

If you have not been in the police, what would you have opted for?

Maybe  I would have been a  top official in the military. I enjoyed wearing uniform. Otherwise, I would have remained  an  Administrative Officer in Lagos. But I like operational work and really enjoyed it. I regard my period  in the NPF as a matter of luck while others regarded it as punishment. I was able to move round the country while in service. I was in the East, North, West and South-South,  including Jos, Mubi. Two years after I was transferred got to Mubi, I married my wife in 1977.

People would wonder how you could think about marriage and also sustain the monogamous lifestyle as a police officer?

I grew up in a happy family, and it was expected of you, after you’ve secured a job, to pick a good wife for yourself. So, you would not train your  children in old age.

What was growing up in Lagos like in your days?

Lagos was a small place at that time. My father was one of the few families who owned vehicles. And at that time, I doubt if we had twelve families who owned vehicles. There were few taxis and no motorcycle. Every family placed priority on education and so, there was hardly a street without a school at that time. It was unlike what is obtainable now. I believe the country still has a long way to go. We need  the right leadership with the fear of God to take this country to the promised land.

Was there a time you had any regrets in life?

There was none I can think of. I give thanks to God and I do not joke with  prayers. I do some philantrophic works also.

How was god-fatherism able to help your career especially in climbing to the position of IGP?

I don’t believe in such phenomenon. What I know is that a good police officer will always be spotted. And any officer who is ambitious will always get to the peak of his career. In those days, a police officer  would not struggle to get some of the benefits embedded in the career.

In the light of what you just said, things seemed to be working out in those days unlike what is obtainable now.

Would you say the country is developing and also encouraging the young generation?

I think the problem the country is facing is as a result of improper planning and our inability to invest in things that can  salvage the glory of the country. Although  our population is increasing, I believe with the calibre of people in government, things would turn out well. There was a time we were making so much money from oil and most of the infrastructures that we ought to have completed were left untouched. We abandoned industrialisation and now we are struggling with power. Any country that is struggling with power cannot industrialize, even the small scale industry cannot operate. But  I believe with  the right leadership and our determination to succeed, the glory of the country will return.

How do you relax?

I make sure I rest well. I do not come to the office until afternoon. I do lots of reading, watch television and listen to news and watch sports  a lot as well as take care of my family. I do  exercise in the morning. I do road walk and, even when I travel, I make sure that I walk for four hours in the shopping mall. I do not joke with prayers.

What is your favourite sport?

I enjoy soccer now, although Nigerian footballers are not making us happy with the way they play. In our days, secondary school competition was helping to groom those going into the national team.

Your advice for youths?

They should be careful with the company they keep. The youths  of nowadays are too much in a hurry and that is why they crash early. One should be ambitious and determined to make it in life, but not through crooked ways.