Abstract

This article examines the urgent need for police reform in Nigeria, focusing on institutional change within the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) as the mechanism to bridge the gap between human rights protections, the rule of law, and actual justice delivery. Institutional change here entails comprehensive structural reforms (such as independent oversight and legal frameworks), cultural shifts toward professionalism and accountability, and operational improvements in training and resource allocation. It analysed key challenges. Accountability was identified as the cornerstone. The article integrates the Nigeria Police Act 2020 and the newly gazetted Nigerian Police Regulations 2025, which aim to curb illegal detention, enforce the Anti-Torture Act 2017, and mandate reporting. Past reforms’ failures are critically examined, alongside the potential of decentralization. Practical recommendations for sustainable reform were proposed, including legal and policy interventions, strengthened oversight mechanisms, and collaboration with civil society organizations. The article concludes that robust institutional change, supported by a strong legal system and theories such as procedural justice and social contract, is essential for restoring public trust and promoting justice.