RismadarVoice Reporters, June 25, 2026
The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, has charged senior police officers to embrace mentorship as a vital leadership responsibility and a key strategy for building the next generation of professional police leaders.
Azare made the call while delivering a lecture titled “ Mentorship in Policing: Building the Next Generation of Professional Police Leaders ” during the Command’s End-of-the-Month Conference held at the Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo.
The conference brought together senior officers from Area Commands, Divisions, Tactical Units, Departments and other formations across the state.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner stressed that the future strength, effectiveness and credibility of the Nigeria Police Force depend largely on the quality of leadership being nurtured today.
He described mentorship as one of the most powerful tools for institutional growth, noting that policing goes beyond law enforcement to include the development of disciplined, ethical and service-oriented officers capable of sustaining the values and vision of the Force.
According to him, every senior officer has a responsibility not only to lead personnel and achieve operational goals but also to deliberately guide, coach and prepare younger officers for future leadership positions.
“The Commissioners of Police, Assistant Inspectors-General, Deputy Inspectors-General and Inspectors-General of tomorrow are among today’s junior officers and must be intentionally developed through effective mentorship,” he said.
CP Azare emphasised the need for experienced officers to transfer institutional knowledge, operational expertise, investigative skills, intelligence-gathering techniques and leadership values to younger personnel.
He noted that many of the competencies required for effective policing are acquired through practical experience and guided exposure rather than classroom instruction alone.
The police commissioner further highlighted the role of mentorship in promoting professionalism, discipline, accountability and respect for human rights, adding that officers who receive proper guidance are more likely to uphold ethical standards and avoid misconduct, corruption and abuse of authority.
Speaking on leadership succession within the Force, Azare urged senior officers to view mentorship as a strategic investment in the future of policing.
He maintained that true leadership should not be measured solely by arrests, crime reduction statistics or operational achievements, but also by the quality of leaders developed and the values passed on to future generations.
On human rights policing, the commissioner reminded officers that modern law enforcement requires transparency, accountability, professionalism and respect for the rule of law.
He urged senior officers to continue mentoring younger personnel on these principles, noting that police conduct directly impacts public confidence in the Force.
Participants at the conference engaged in extensive discussions on leadership development and acknowledged the importance of mentorship in strengthening professionalism and ensuring sustainable succession within the Nigeria Police Force.
In his closing remarks, CP Azare charged officers to institutionalise mentorship within their various commands and formations, stressing that the enduring legacy of any police leader lies not in the office occupied but in the leaders produced.
The conference forms part of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command’s ongoing efforts to promote professional excellence, ethical policing, leadership development and improved service delivery in line with the vision of the Inspector-General of Police for a modern, accountable and people-centred police force.
