The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has reiterated that access to affordable and sustainable housing remains central to improving the welfare, morale and productivity of officers of the Nigeria Police Force.
Egbetokun stated this in Abuja while receiving the Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Shehu Osidi, and members of his management team during a courtesy visit to the Force Headquarters. He said decent housing for police personnel was not a luxury but a fundamental welfare issue that directly affects operational effectiveness and professionalism.
According to the IGP, officers who are assured of stable and dignified living conditions are better positioned to discharge their constitutional responsibilities without undue distraction or pressure. He stressed that housing insecurity has long undermined morale within the Force, particularly for junior officers and those nearing retirement.
“Providing affordable housing is critical to boosting the morale of officers who put their lives on the line daily in service to the nation. When officers are confident about their living conditions, it reflects positively on discipline, commitment and overall productivity,” Egbetokun said.
A statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, described the visit by the FMBN leadership as timely, noting that it aligned with the current leadership’s renewed focus on welfare reforms within the Police Force. The statement added that Egbetokun emphasised the need for stronger institutional partnerships to achieve long-term housing solutions for serving and retired personnel.
The IGP noted that collaboration with key housing and financial institutions was essential to bridging the long-standing housing gap affecting police officers across the country. He said the Force was committed to engaging partners that could provide structured, transparent and sustainable mortgage options tailored to the income realities of police personnel.
Egbetokun further reaffirmed that welfare remains a top priority under his leadership, stressing that efforts to improve housing would complement other reforms aimed at strengthening professionalism, accountability and public trust in the Police Force.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to fostering strategic partnerships that ensure the dignity and well-being of its officers, both during and after their service to the country,” the statement quoted the IGP as saying.
Earlier, the Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Shehu Osidi, commended the Nigeria Police Force for its cooperation and consistency in past engagements, describing the Force as one of the Bank’s most strategic institutional partners. He said the Bank was keen on deepening collaboration to ensure that police personnel could access mortgage and housing benefits with minimal administrative obstacles.
Osidi noted that many officers still struggle to navigate mortgage processes, often due to documentation challenges, limited awareness or delays in inter-agency coordination. He assured the IGP that the Bank was reviewing its procedures to make housing finance more accessible and responsive to the needs of security personnel.
According to him, the FMBN remains committed to expanding access to affordable housing for police officers through customised mortgage products, improved service delivery and closer engagement with the Force’s leadership.
“The Bank recognises the sacrifices made by police officers in maintaining internal security. Ensuring that they have access to decent housing is not just a financial issue but a social responsibility,” Osidi said.
The welfare of police personnel, particularly in the area of housing, has remained a persistent challenge within the Nigeria Police Force. Many officers spend their entire service years in rented accommodation, often in substandard conditions, while others face uncertainty after retirement due to the absence of structured housing plans.
In recent years, successive police administrations have acknowledged that poor welfare conditions contribute to low morale and affect the effectiveness of policing. This has led to renewed efforts to strengthen partnerships with institutions such as the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and other housing agencies.
Observers note that improved access to affordable housing could have far-reaching implications for policing, including reduced stress among officers, better family stability and enhanced public service delivery. They argue that housing reforms, when combined with training, equipment upgrades and accountability measures, could significantly improve the overall performance of the Force.
As discussions between the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria continue, stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether the renewed commitments translate into concrete housing projects and accessible mortgage schemes for officers nationwide.
