Police Salary Increase: How IGP Alkali Struck Gold

Prior to the appointment of Baba Alkali Usman as Inspector General of Police, President Muhammadu Buhari had issued a directive for an upward review of police salaries; however, when IGP Baba took office, one of the first items on his agenda was an upward review of police salaries. As the nation’s top police officer, the IGP has made it clear that it was a top priority for him.

IGP Baba has urged police officers to keep hope alive about a pay raise on numerous occasions, implying that the issue of pay raises is high on the IGP’s priority list. He has successfully pursued that demand and pressure in the National Assembly.

Last year, when he visited Benin, the Edo state capital, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Baba Alkali Usman, encouraged officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force to keep their hopes alive for the proposed salary review, saying that while it would be delayed, it would happen.

“I want you to take your job seriously because we’re going to work hard to improve our welfare,” he assured.

“We are living witnesses to the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces graciously requesting that the police salary be reviewed, and while it will take time, it will come.”

Police officers should not be discouraged, according to the Inspector-General, because a pay raise will undoubtedly occur.

The issue of a pay raise for the force’s men and officers, as he continues to chastise the personnel while working around the clock and behind the scenes to ensure that it was completed.

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While speaking to journalists at the Presidential Villa last week, the IGP reaffirmed President Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts to see that police salaries are increased, as the IGP reaffirmed to them that the Salaries and Wages Commission is working out a new salary structure for the NPF as directed by the President, His Excellency Mohammadu Buhari, GCFR.

In other remarks, the IGP assured officers and men of the Delta State Police Command, while on a visit there, that the police under his leadership is doing everything possible to boost the morale of the men in terms of better welfare, and that a better insurance scheme is in the works, adding that the welfare of officers is a priority to his administration.

Indeed, the issue of Police Salary Increase has been a hot topic before IGP Alkali, and his lobbying of the National Assembly and the Presidency, which culminated in its approval by the Federal Executive Council, shows that he is not resting, as he is working hard to ensure that the Police rank and file receive their new salary increase as soon as possible.

Even though he may claim that he is not to blame for the delay in the payment of the new salary increase, the truth is that he is currently working around the clock and behind the scenes to ensure that those responsible have completed all of the necessary formalities and have released the funds for the payment of the new salaries to Police Officers. It should be noted that the IGP has no authority over the official processes that are currently in place to ensure that the increase takes effect.

However, IGP Akali’s lobbying efforts paid off, as the Federal Executive Council approved a 20 percent increase in police salaries in December 2021, which will take effect in January 2022. Others are hoping to take advantage of the payment delay in order to sabotage the nation’s peace and security. The good story of the salary increase approval and even expectations of the start of payment of the new package would not have arisen if IGP Alkali had been hesitant and failed to pursue it the way he did.

It was indeed a Christmas Bonus for the Police, as Femi Adesina, President Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, stated in his article titled: ‘Buhari’s Christmas Bonus for Police,’ which the IGP Alkali was behind.

At the end of the Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, informed State House correspondents of this.

According to him, the provision of a 20% peculiar allowance for police officers is a major highlight of the increase.

“I am especially pleased to inform Nigerians today that the Federal Executive Council has approved the review and upgrade of the take-home pay of police officers in this country,” he said.

“Recall that this country was rocked by End SARS protests in October 2020, and the president addressed the nation, appealing for calm, after which he promised that the police salary would be reviewed in recognition of the services they have been rendering to the country – maintaining peace and tranquility?”

“As a result, the FEC today approved a proposal for a salary review that will take effect in January 2022.

“We’ve tried to put them in a position where their take-home pay will be improved by improving issues like duty tour allowance, which has been reduced to 6% of their new take-home pay,” he said.

The minister also revealed that the Council had approved N1.1 billion to pay outstanding uninsured police benefits.

“In addition, the Council has approved the payment of N1,120, 172,150.00 as outstanding personnel benefits for the uninsured period of 2013-2020.”

“It has also approved payment of N127,972,269.20 as outstanding death benefits for 5,472 employees who were uninsured from 2013 to August 2021 and were not covered under the group life assurance.”

“Council has also approved N1.2 billion for outstanding personnel burial expenses for the period of January 2012 to January 2021,” he added.

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According to the minister, the Council also approved annual insurance premiums of N750 million as well as payment of N4, 812,500,000 in future budgets, beginning in 2022, for repairs and replacement of damaged Police infrastructure.

He added that the Council also approved a tax waiver of N18.6 billion for junior police officers, with effect from October 2021, in order to increase their take-home pay.

“Similarly, the government has approved an N61 billion increase in the current rent subsidy, which is currently between 15-20 percent.

“As a result of the increase, it now accounts for 40% of the Consolidated Police Salary Structure (CONPOSS), or N78.3 billion.”

“It has also approved the payment of an additional 6% shift duty allowance for officers in Grades 01-14, as well as supervisory allowances for officers in Grades 15 and above, totaling about N10.038 billion, with effect from 2022.”

“Most importantly, the government has approved the payment of 20% of CONPOSS as a one-off allowance to boost morale and take-home pay of Nigerian police officers,” he said.

The Auditor General of the Federation had been directed to cross-check the template and claims approved by Council, after which the Salaries and Wages Commission would compute and introduce a clean salary structure, which would be adopted as soon as possible, according to the minister.

With the new development, he said, the government expects the police to step up their efforts to justify the public’s trust in them.

Dr Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, revealed that the salary increase was not included in the 2022 budget when asked about it. Perhaps this explains the slight delay in the full implementation of the plan.

She did say, however, that after calculations and approval, a supplementary budget would be sent to the National Assembly to that effect, allowing for the payment of arrears and full implementation of the new salary.

Indeed, the IGP struck gold with the salary increase approval, which was made possible by his tireless efforts.

OFFICERS’ AND MEN’S PROBLEMS PRECEDE THE APPOINTMENT OF IGP ALKALI
The majority of the issues raised in the report published by some national dailies and online media, such as police officer morale being at an all-time low, with many complaining about low salaries, a lack of genuine welfare benefits, and outdated weapons, have already been addressed by the IGP, or are currently being addressed by IGP Alkali. Nigerians are well aware of the type of leadership that has failed to address critical issues such as police welfare and the provision of arms and facilities in the past. Unbeknownst to many, the Police are now being provided with armoury and other cutting-edge policing devices under IGP Alkali, for the first time in many years. Nigerians will soon be able to see this achievement and thank President Buhari for assisting the IGP in his duties.

Take, for example, the issue of welfare benefits; the Inspector General of Police has made the welfare of the police force a top priority since taking office.

IGP Usman Alkali Baba, the Inspector-General of Police, recently ordered the immediate distribution of Police Uniforms, Kits, and Accoutrements that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) recently procured to various Zones, Commands, and Formations for onward issuance to Force personnel. Previously, police officers were well aware that they had to purchase their uniforms on their own, despite the fact that they were supposed to be provided for.

The resuscitation of the quarterly issuance of uniforms and other accoutrements to members of the Inspectorate, Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs), and Constable Cadres in the Police Force, according to the Acting Force Spokesperson, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi in a press release, is in furtherance of the IGP’s ongoing efforts to engender reforms and evolve a new people-friendly Police Force.

The continuous issuance of new uniforms and accoutrements is free of charge to all Inspectors and members of the Rank-and-File of the Force, as provisions have been made in the Police budget for continuous procurement.

The Inspector General of Police ordered a nationwide distribution of police uniforms, shoes, belts, berets, and other accessories. Zones, Commands, and Formations of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have issued hundreds of thousands of camouflage, blue, and black uniforms to police officers across the country since March 4, 2022, in a move last seen in the 1990s.

In a similar vein, the IGP has approved the establishment of a First Aid Unit under the Nigeria Police Medical Service (NPMS), Force Headquarters, Abuja, as well as the inclusion of advanced First Aid Training to supplement the Nigeria Police Force Training Curriculum.

The Police, in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), held a train-the-trainers workshop for personnel of the newly created unit, which will be deployed to all Commands and Formations across the country and will train cadets and recruits at the various Police training institutions, from February 23 to February 25, 2022.

The IGP also stated that the establishment of the First Aid Unit would strengthen the Police Emergency Response System’s capacity, and reaffirmed the Force’s unwavering commitment to leaving the nation with a professional, dependable, and responsive policing system.

An Echo Cardio Machine was also installed and inaugurated at the Muhammadu Buhari Medical Centre in Garki, Abuja, while an integrated First Aid Unit was added to the Force Medical Services for training and easy deployment on the field at the Nigeria Police Medical Service (NPMS), Force Headquarters, Abuja, as well as the inclusion of advanced First Aid Training to replace the basic training available in the Nigeria Police Force Training Curriculum.

On this, he emphasized the importance he places on the welfare and general well-being of Nigerian police officers and men. He called it a sham, emphasizing the dangerous conditions that police officers face on a daily basis.

To mitigate the impact of such risks on officers and men, the IGP stated that establishing a First Aid Unit, which will be the first responder to personnel in need of emergency and less complicated medical care, is critical.

The IGP also stated that the creation of the First Aid Unit would improve the Police Emergency Response System’s capacity.

During a recent visit to the Federal Capital Territory Command in Abuja, the IGP reaffirmed his commitment to improved welfare for officers and men across the board, according to the IGP. The Inspectorate and Rank-and-File cadres will be issued uniforms and accoutrements on a quarterly basis, free of charge, according to the IGP, because provisions have been made in the Police budget for continuous procurement.

This, he said, is part of his ongoing efforts to enact reforms and create a new police force that is more people-friendly.

IGP Alkali stated that the Force’s commitment to providing better welfare to NPF personnel will go a long way toward boosting their morale.

While reiterating the Force’s unwavering commitment to leaving the nation with a professional, dependable, and responsive policing system, the IGP urged citizens to never give up on the Force. He urged everyone to make it a point of duty to assist the police by providing accurate and timely information about crime and criminalities to their local officers, so that the force can better secure the public space.

Aside from welfare, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has revised the Nigeria Police Force’s Housing SCHEME.

The elimination of equity payments or deposits by Police Officers before acquiring houses financed by the Nigeria Police Cooperative and Multipurpose Society is a significant change to the Housing Policy.

Previously, officers with the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police to Inspector General of Police had to pay 20% of the property value, while officers with the rank of ASP or lower had to pay 10%.

Officers from the rank of ASP to IGP are now required to pay 10% equity, while junior officers are only required to pay 5%. Other changes include a reduction in the payment schedule’s life from five (5) to seven (7) years for all properties. In 2021, a Police Wireless Signal was issued and distributed to that effect, announcing the change.

It is worth noting that the IGP’s Housing Policy has resurrected the housing scheme, as more police officers are flocking to the Cooperative to take advantage of the numerous opportunities available there.

“The IGP believes that housing is more important to the lives of Police Officers than anything else,” AIG Adamu Usman, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Cooperative, told this paper.

“He wants it to be affordable and accessible through a single transaction.”

On the orders of the Inspector-General of Police, several housing estates relevant to the implementation of this policy are being completed, while new ones are being developed, according to the report. Houses range in size from one to two bedrooms, are detached or semi-detached, and are available in all of the country’s geopolitical zones.

The Inspector-General of Police’s cardinal policy is to ensure the welfare of police officers. During his recent familiarization tour to Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, IGP Usman Alkali Baba reaffirmed and reassured officers that his administration will prioritize the welfare of police officers while working hard to ensure that working tools and equipment are available to provide professional and quality policing services to Nigerians while protecting officers and their families.

The IGP praised police officers in Cross River State for their dedication and professionalism and assured them of improved welfare and working conditions during a lengthy meeting with them.

He emphasized the importance of training and retraining as a key strategy of his administration to ensure that policing in modern Nigeria is well-equipped to deal with the country’s ever-changing and dynamic nature of crime and criminality.

The Police Trust Fund, as well as the governments of Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers, provided vehicles, equipment, and lodging in January 2022.

As the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the NPF Cooperative Society, AIG Usman Adamu, has driven IGP Usman Alkali Baba’s legacy to an enviable height, as seen in the way the NPF Cooperative Society is providing improved facilities, equipped, cutting-edge and modern Police Post (with patrol van) in one of its estates at Karasana, off Gwarinpa Estate, Abuja. It’s worth noting that one of the IGP’s main responsibilities is to provide standard, habitable, and affordable housing for Force officers.

The NPF Cooperative Society, led by AIG Adamu, has undertaken viable projects to ensure adequate housing in the NPF, in accordance with the IGP’s mandate.

The Chairman – Board of NPF Cooperative Society, DIG Folawiyo (rtd), mni, and the Executive Secretary, AIG Usman Adamu, are leading the organization’s new phase.

In addition to the existing facilities in all of the Board’s estates, the Board’s leadership has promised to extend the cutting-edge security system and improved facilities to other police estates in order to raise the standard there.

The average police officer can now exhale a sigh of relief, as they are encouraged to join the scheme and secure their dream homes.

The housing section is a subsidiary of the Nigeria Police Cooperative Multi-Purpose Society Limited, which provides housing for its members. Part 11; section 6 of the Society’s Bye-law 2014, as amended, provided the basis for this section. The Society will “undertake Housing Projects either by developing new estates and constructing new houses or by buying over existing estates or houses for allocation to its members,” according to the document.

The passage of the Police Act, 2020, is one of IGP Alkali’s acts of reform within the Nigerian Police Force. His sure protocol is to identify, elevate, and position professionally competent officers to strategic positions, as well as general and specialized trainings for officers, many of which are still ongoing while others have been completed.

Again, in line with international best practices and in response to the growing concern for gender mainstreaming and respect for culture and diversity, the Inspector-General of Police recently approved a new and improved dress code for women officers, allowing them to wear stud earrings and a headscarf under their berets or peak caps, as the case may be, while in uniform. On March 3, 2022, the IGP announced the dress code at a meeting with Strategic Police Managers.

According to the IGP, the Nigeria Police Force includes officers from every local government in the country, representing a wide range of ethnic and religious backgrounds, as well as a greater representation of women. For maximum output and professionalism, this necessitates ensuring inclusion, gender mainstreaming, ethnic and religious diversity in the workplace. This has aided in the development of better methods for managing global workforce diversity. Canada, the United States of America, Sweden, Turkey, Australia, and the United Kingdom are among the countries that have adopted the same dress code.

The dress code is voluntary, and the IGP has tasked Senior Women Police Officers with ensuring that women police officers who choose to follow it adhere to the approved standard.

With all of the aforementioned key issues handled by IGP Alkali, including the case of salary increases for officers and men, it is worth noting that the IGP is working hard to achieve a 21st century policing for Nigerian police officers, with issues such as their salaries, housing, welfare, safety, and others at the top of his agenda for an effective 21st century police officer.