By Nkiruka Nnorom& Efe Onodjae 

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to global peace and security, noting that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has a long history of participation in international peacekeeping operations dating back to 1961.

Egbetokun spoke at the opening of a two-day symposium titled “The Nigeria Police and the Peace Process in Africa”, organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in collaboration with the NPF.

He stressed the importance of multilateral cooperation in addressing global security challenges, adding that over 12,000 Nigerian police officers have served in peace operations across Africa, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean over the past six decades.According to him, Nigeria’s peacekeeping engagements have projected the country’s values, strengthened international cooperation and contributed significantly to global peace and stability.

“For Nigeria, peacekeeping has never been a peripheral undertaking. It is a co-expression of our commitment to multilateralism, international solidarity and responsible global citizenship,” Egbetokun said.

He outlined five pillars for the future of Nigeria’s peacekeeping contributions, assuring that the NPF would remain professional, principled and reliable amid evolving global security challenges.“As the world confronts new uncertainties, Nigeria will not retreat from responsibility. We will lead with professionalism.”

, guided by ethics, respect for human dignity and international best practices,” he added.

The IGP acknowledged challenges facing peacekeeping operations, including asymmetric threats, logistical constraints and the need for stronger collaboration with military and civilian partners. However, he said these challenges should drive reform, innovation and deeper partnerships.

In his remarks, Director-General of the NIIA, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, described the Nigeria Police Force as one of the most prominent in Africa, noting that only the Indian Police is comparable in terms of peacekeeping operations.

While acknowledging domestic challenges faced by the NPF, Osaghae said its international successes reflect growing capacity and professionalism.

He expressed the NIIA’s commitment to partnering with the police to strengthen peacekeeping and policing capacity, including plans to establish an international centre for peacekeeping and policing.