THE BRAIN– Feature Opinion
When the Nigerian Police Force announced the appointment of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Benjamin Hundeyin as its new spokesman in Abuja, the decision carried more weight than a simple change of guard. It symbolized the transition of a man known for his probity, innovation, and intellectual depth from the state level into the national theatre of security communication.
Hundeyin is not new to pressure. In Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling economic capital, he reshaped police-citizen engagement, transforming the PRO’s office from a press release mill into a listening post, digital command center, and trust-building platform. Now, as he takes the helm in Abuja, he faces a far larger canvas—with more delicate brushstrokes required.
A Battle for Public Trust
The Nigerian Police Force carries a heavy burden: a reputation battered by allegations of corruption, brutality, and inefficiency. Public distrust runs deep, and every misstep in communication only hardens cynicism.
Hundeyin’s first national task is therefore clear: rebranding the image of the police through transparency, accessibility, and credibility. Nigerians must see not just arrests and uniformed parades, but stories of officers as guardians, peacekeepers, and citizens in uniform.
Crisis Communication in a Capital on Edge
Abuja is more than a capital city—it is Nigeria’s political heart. Every protest, terror alert, or high-profile arrest echoes across the nation and beyond. In this environment, misinformation spreads faster than facts.
Hundeyin must establish a rapid-response crisis communication framework, ensuring that Nigerians hear the truth first from the police, not the rumor mill. This will test his speed, accuracy, and calm under fire.
Commanding a Choir of Voices
Unlike Lagos where he had one command, Abuja places Hundeyin over a network of state and zonal PROs nationwide. The challenge is to synchronize diverse voices into one coherent national narrative.
Training, mentorship, and standardization will be key. Every state PRO must reflect professionalism, accuracy, and the new tone of citizen-centered policing that Hundeyin has long championed.
Digital Transformation at the National Scale
The digital space has become Nigeria’s largest town square. Young Nigerians are quick to question, criticize, and mobilize online. Hundeyin’s Lagos blueprint—real-time engagement on Twitter and media transparency—must now be replicated across all commands.
Imagine a police force where every division runs verified accounts, misinformation is swiftly countered, and citizens feel seen and heard. This digital revolution may become one of his enduring national legacies.
The Delicate Arena of Politics and Policing
With elections never far from Nigeria’s calendar, the Force PRO’s role is often caught in the crossfire of accusations and counter-accusations. Here, Hundeyin must embody absolute neutrality. His office must demonstrate that the police are servants of the people, not tools of politicians.
This balance of firmness and fairness may be his toughest test yet.
Global Eyes on Abuja
The capital city is home to embassies, international media, and development partners. Every press statement from the Force PRO is read not just in Nigeria, but in Washington, London, and Addis Ababa.
Hundeyin must therefore craft messages that not only reassure Nigerians but also project the professionalism of the Nigerian Police Force on the global stage.
Probity as a Personal Burden
Finally, there is the matter of his reputation. Listed by Brain Magazine as one of the “Intelligent Brains in the Nigerian Police Force with Probity”, Hundeyin enters Abuja with expectations higher than most. Nigerians will watch not just what he says, but how he says it, and whether his words match the reality on the ground.
In an era where communication can either heal wounds or inflame them, his greatest asset will not be his command of English or his mastery of digital platforms—it will be his integrity.
The Verdict
Benjamin Hundeyin’s appointment as Force PRO is more than a career progression; it is a defining test of how much one man’s brain, heart, and values can reshape a troubled institution’s relationship with its people.
If he succeeds, he will not only become the national voice of the police but also the bridge between Nigeria’s citizens and their security guardians. And in doing so, he will cement his place as one of the brilliant, probity-driven minds shaping the future of Nigerian policing.
