On September 10, at the Aso Hall of Abuja Continental Hotel, Prof. Anthony Kila delivered an introduction to Magnus Onyibe's new book, 'The Imperative of State Police in Nigeria'. Prof. Kila, a Jean Monnet Professor of Strategy and Development, analyzed the book in relation to Nigeria's current insecurity challenges and the move by President Bola Tinubu's administration to decentralize Nigeria's policing system. His analysis was well-received by an audience comprising retired military chiefs, policymakers, media personnel, and members of the diplomatic corps.
Prof. Kila's presentation earned him the epithet "Mad Professor" due to his exceptionally smart yet chaotic approach. A "mad professor" in Nigerian slang refers to someone who is brilliant but does things in an unconventional way. Prof. Kila's delay in arriving at the event, caused by flight delays, disrupted the program, but his analysis was worth the wait. The audience concurred with the masters of ceremonies that his review was insightful and engaging.
Magnus Onyibe's book, 'The Imperative of State Police in Nigeria', addresses a critical question in Nigeria's public-policy debate: can a country like Nigeria continue to rely on a centralized policing architecture? The book's significance lies in its comprehensive approach to policing, treating it as a question of institutional design, federalism, governance, intelligence, technology, accountability, and the relationship between the state and its citizens.
Prof. Kila's analysis recognized the legitimate fears surrounding state police while asking whether those fears should prevent institutional reform. He highlighted the book's nuanced approach to the debate, which goes beyond a binary argument between decentralization and national unity. The book proposes that institutions should be reformed to address Nigeria's security challenges.
The event, themed 'Explaining the Grey Areas of State Policing: The Case, the Strategy, the Operations and Framework,' featured several prominent speakers, including Dubem Moghalu, Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Research and Planning. Moghalu made a presentation titled 'State Police: The Journey So Far,' before Prof. Kila's analysis.
Prof. Anthony Kila's background and characteristics fit the mold of a "Mad Professor." He is a brilliant academic who often survives on little sleep and much coffee, producing breakthroughs in his field. Although he doesn't exhibit all the typical characteristics, such as wild hair or a laboratory coat, his approach to his work and his presentation style earned him the "Mad Professor" tag.
The book review event was well-attended by notable individuals, including retired military chiefs and members of the diplomatic corps. The audience appreciated Prof. Kila's insightful analysis, which shed light on the imperative of state police in Nigeria. The book, written by Magnus Onyibe, is a significant contribution to the public-policy debate on policing in Nigeria.
Key points
- Professor Anthony Kila analyzed Magnus Onyibe's book on the imperative of state police in Nigeria.
- The book addresses a critical question in Nigeria's public-policy debate on policing.
- Prof. Kila's analysis was well-received by the audience, earning him the "Mad Professor" epithet.
