IGP Disu Launches Mental Health Workshop To Boost Police Officers’ Resilience

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has launched a mental health awareness and coaching workshop for officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), emphasising the importance of emotional resilience, early intervention and access to professional support in improving operational effectiveness.

The workshop, which opened in Abuja on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, is being coordinated by the Department of Training and Development in partnership with Awesome Valley Consult Ltd and the Directorate of Force Medical Services. The IGP was represented at the event by the Force Medical Director, AIG Nkechi Eze.

In his remarks delivered by Eze, Disu outlined his approved policy direction on mental health coaching, stressing the need for early identification of mental health concerns, timely intervention and appropriate referral for professional care.

He noted that the demanding nature of police work exposes personnel to intense pressure and potentially traumatic experiences, making practical coping mechanisms and accessible support systems essential to their wellbeing and professional performance.

The IGP emphasised that officers must be able to seek assistance without fear of stigma, adding that recognising signs of stress, burnout and emotional distress in themselves and their colleagues is crucial to maintaining a healthy workforce and ensuring effective service delivery.

The lead facilitator, Maimuna Ummi Abdullahi, popularly known as Coach Diddi, a Mental Health and Emotional Resilience Coach and Team Lead of Awesome Valley Consult Ltd, highlighted the importance of mental health coaching for police personnel who routinely operate in high-pressure and potentially traumatic environments.

Abdullahi explained that mental health coaching equips officers with practical skills in self-awareness, stress management, emotional regulation, resilience and healthy coping strategies. She also underscored the importance of early help-seeking and peer support in preventing emotional difficulties from escalating.

She clarified that mental health coaching complements, rather than replaces, clinical assessment and treatment, noting that officers must be able to recognise when their challenges require the attention of qualified mental health professionals.

More than 100 police officers drawn from various operational and administrative units are participating in the workshop. The participating formations include the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Police Mobile Force (PMF), Special Protection Unit (SPU), Directorate of Force Medical Services, Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Special Intervention Squad (SIS), Special Tactical Squad (STS) and police divisions across the Federal Capital Territory.

Senior officers present at the event included CP Aina Adesola, CP L. Ibrahim and CP M. Umar.

Also speaking, DIG Isyaku Mohammed, mni, reaffirmed the Department of Training and Development’s commitment to sustained, practical and needs-based training aimed at strengthening mental health awareness across the Force.

He emphasised the importance of continued collaboration with the Directorate of Force Medical Services to deepen officers’ understanding of mental health challenges and ensure that personnel are connected to appropriate support services when necessary.

The IGP reiterated that personnel welfare remains central to the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to professionalism and effective service delivery.

He stressed that police officers must be physically fit, mentally resilient and adequately supported to discharge their responsibilities effectively, particularly in demanding operational environments.

Disu urged officers to prioritise their mental wellbeing, seek professional assistance when necessary and support colleagues experiencing emotional or psychological difficulties.

He further charged personnel to maintain the highest standards of discipline, sound professional judgement and respect for the public, noting that a well-supported workforce is essential to effective policing and public confidence.

The workshop forms part of efforts to strengthen personnel welfare and promote a supportive police work environment in which mental health awareness is recognised as an important component of operational readiness and professional competence.