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Accountability Starts With Listening To The People

By Abidemi Adebamiwa

Imagine you’re sitting in your community, and a representative from a Nigerian law enforcement agency walks up to you with a simple question: “How are we doing, and how can we serve you better?” How would that make you feel—valued, heard, or maybe even hopeful? Now think about how different things would be if these agencies consistently sought out your honest opinion and used it to make real changes. That’s exactly the kind of relationship Nigeria’s law enforcement and anti-graft agencies need to build with the public.

Do you feel Nigerian law enforcement listens to the public enough? Many Nigerians would answer “no,” and that’s a problem worth solving. Imagine if these agencies regularly asked for feedback, showing they cared about the people they serve. It would be a game-changer, helping them identify blind spots and fix what’s not working.

What if you could rate your safety or the fairness of the police in your neighborhood? Imagine ranking your community’s most pressing issues—like kidnapping or fraud—and seeing law enforcement act on those priorities. Wouldn’t that show they value your opinion and take your concerns seriously? This could transform how Nigerians see and trust these agencies.

How often do you hear complaints about bias, corruption, or inefficiency? Now picture law enforcement agencies directly asking communities to rate their performance and suggest improvements. They could identify areas where they’re falling short and make meaningful changes. This approach would hold them accountable while building stronger relationships with the public.

Suppose you get a survey on your phone asking if you feel safe shopping in your city. If the results showed safety concerns, wouldn’t it be reassuring to see officers deployed to address the issue? Or take anti-graft agencies—what if public feedback revealed dissatisfaction with their efforts? That kind of input would push these agencies to step up and tackle corruption more effectively.

Ask yourself this: Do you think law enforcement treats all Nigerians equally, regardless of tribe, gender, or wealth? If not, collecting feedback could expose unfair practices and push for reforms. Agencies could use this data to create policies that ensure fairness and equity. Over time, this would help restore public confidence in the justice system.

Picture a system where your suggestions are not only heard but acted upon. Imagine requesting more night patrols in your area, and within a week, you notice the change. Wouldn’t that build trust and encourage more cooperation between citizens and law enforcement? This trust is key to fighting crime and corruption together as a society.

Surveys, widely used in cities around the world serve as a straightforward yet impactful way to engage with communities. They allow individuals to express their concerns and priorities anonymously, fostering honest feedback. For Nigerian law enforcement, such surveys could offer valuable insights into the issues that matter most to citizens. Responding to this feedback would showcase a genuine commitment to making public input the foundation of meaningful change.

If law enforcement regularly connected with the public like this, the results would be transformative. People would feel involved in decisions affecting their safety and justice. Agencies would become more effective, fair, and accountable to those they serve. Together, citizens and law enforcement could create a safer and more just Nigeria where every voice matters.

Abidemi Adebamiwa is a geopolitical analyst and Ph.D. student with expertise in finance, policy, and African development

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