Jane Salihu
Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has begun exploring stronger partnerships with Nigeria’s creative industry as part of efforts to rebuild public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force and improve relations with young Nigerians.
Disu made the move when he hosted Nigerian Grammy-winning artiste, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, at the Police House in Lagos on Saturday, using the engagement to seek the creative sector’s support in reshaping public conversations around policing and security.
The IGP said the initiative formed part of his administration’s broader efforts to engage influential stakeholders across society in improving the image of the police and strengthening trust between officers and the communities they serve.
According to him, the enormous influence of the entertainment industry, particularly among young Nigerians, could be harnessed to create constructive conversations, bridge existing gaps and promote greater understanding between the police and the public.
Disu’s engagement with Burna Boy signals an attempt by the police leadership to extend its public trust-building efforts beyond conventional security and government platforms, particularly by reaching young Nigerians through voices and personalities with significant cultural influence.
The IGP maintained that meaningful police-community relations require wider societal participation, making collaboration with the creative sector an important component of efforts to improve public perception of the Force.
Burna Boy, who won the Grammy Award for his 2021 album Twice as Tall, expressed support for the initiative and indicated his willingness to contribute to efforts aimed at improving relations between the police and Nigerians, particularly young people.
The engagement comes as the police leadership continues to seek new approaches to strengthening public confidence in the institution and creating a more constructive relationship between security personnel and the communities they serve.
