Lenders Consult International will deepen its partnership with the Nigeria Police Force as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, supporting a strategic conference on electoral security.
The company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Shina Philips, disclosed this on Tuesday at a press conference at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, ahead of the sixth Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers (CARSPO).
The three-day conference will hold from 21 to 23 September in Owerri, Imo State. It will focus on “Developing a Nigerian Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections.”
The Nigeria Police Force is organising the conference with Lenders Consult International.
Philips said the partnership began in 2019 to support the police as the lead internal security agency, especially as preparations for the 2027 elections gather pace.
He said Lenders Consult remained committed to helping the police provide adequate security during the elections.
Philips also said the company’s position aligned with that of Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on the Force’s role in the electoral process.
Philips quoted Disu as saying, “Stability of the electoral process largely depends on the Police as the lead agency in internal democracy.”
According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu, the conference will bring together senior police officers, policing experts and other stakeholders.
The discussions will examine emerging electoral security challenges. They will cover intelligence-led policing, police-community partnerships, digital technologies and artificial intelligence, among other modern policing approaches.
The conference will mainly involve officers of the rank of Commissioner of Police and above.
Participants are expected to develop practical measures to strengthen police capacity before, during and after the 2027 elections.
The Police said the proposed strategies would focus on protecting voters, electoral personnel, candidates, electoral materials and the wider public.
Meanwhile, Philips said Lenders Consult had secured sponsorship for every edition of the conference since it received approval to organise the event.
He described the sponsorship as the company’s contribution to supporting the police.
Philips also urged Nigerians to support the Force in carrying out its constitutional duty to secure society and maintain public order.
He, however, said the conference had grown beyond a domestic gathering, with international participants now attending.
He pledged that Lenders Consult would continue working with the police to keep the event focused on modern policing solutions.
The Imo State Government will host the 2026 edition in Owerri.
Philips thanked Governor Hope Uzodimma for agreeing to host the conference for the third time.
The opening ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. on 21 September in Owerri.
The Police said the conference forms part of efforts to improve strategic leadership, professionalism and operational readiness ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers has become a key reform platform that strengthens leadership, operations, and modern policing in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
Strategic Platform for Reform
Over the years, the annual retreat has moved beyond ceremony into a working forum for policy review and operational planning. Senior officers now use it to examine security challenges and refine responses across commands.
Meanwhile, Lenders Consult International Limited, led by Dr Shina Philips, has sustained the initiative since 2019. The Lagos State Government hosted the maiden edition, while Uyo, Owerri, and Abeokuta later hosted others, showing national acceptance.
Improving Operations and Intelligence
Consequently, the retreat has deepened structured dialogue among Commissioners of Police and above. Officers now review crime trends, assess gaps, and improve deployment strategies using daily SITREPs and data analysis.
Furthermore, the focus on intelligence-led policing has improved crime scene management and offender profiling. These steps have shifted the NPF from reactive responses to proactive operations.
Technology and Community Policing Push
However, discussions have also pushed digital policing reforms. The NPF now prioritises ICT upgrades, stronger Force Intelligence Bureau coordination, and data sharing with agencies.
In response, the retreat has also advanced community policing. Officers now engage more with local groups, while plans for community radio aim to improve trust and communication.
Discipline, Accountability, and Partnerships
Meanwhile, the retreat reinforces discipline through better documentation, biometric capture, and controlled social media use. These steps reduce misinformation and improve internal accountability.
Furthermore, partnerships with agencies like Federal Inland Revenue Service and private sector players support funding and logistics.
Clarification and Continued Impact
In response to public scrutiny, Lenders Consult denied receiving funds from the NPF. The firm stated it funds the retreat through private sponsorship since 2019.
Ultimately, the retreat remains a driver of reform. It continues to improve coordination, intelligence gathering, and community engagement across the NPF, while shaping a more modern and responsive police force.
External Links
- Nigeria Police overview: Nigeria Police Force official site
- Policing reforms context: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
- Security sector insights: Africa Center for Strategic Studies
