The Nigeria Police Force’s fixation on enforcing the controversial digital tinted glass permit tax regime, which is now scheduled to begin next month, is a step in the wrong direction, which should be stopped. Aside from the fact that the NPF is ill-prepared to diligently and effectively execute the “new assignment”, the entire scheme is tainted with corruption prospects that will further taint the police image and traumatise the citizens while contributing little to security.

Before the incumbent Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, at least two other IGPs in the recent past have dealt with the tinted glass issue, supposedly in aid of national security but with little success.

However, the current effort is displaying a brazen penchant for the police to make a fortune out of the initiative. In June 2021, the then IGP, Usman Alkali Baba, who also tinkered with the idea, suspended the issuance of tinted glass permits due to widespread insider abuse, which rocked the initiative just as it was taking off.

The background to the exercise stems from the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act of 1991, enacted by the Federal Military Government, which restricted vehicles from using tinted glass without authorisation from the Inspector-General of Police. At the time, vehicles with tinted windshields were few, unlike now when many imported vehicles were shipped into the country with tinted glasses.

In the new scheme, initiated in 2024 under Egbetokun, and introduced as the Digital Tinted Glass Permit System in April 2025. Motorists are now expected to apply online through the Police Specialised Services Automation Project (POSSAP) platform.

In June 2025, Egbetokun approved an extension of the effective date after complaints and dissatisfaction expressed by members of the public regarding the reactivation of the application process. The NPF also promised that it would work towards simplifying and improving both the physical and contactless application options, including enhanced verification mechanisms and streamlined procedures to reduce delays and eliminate undue inconveniences.

Despite these promises, the process of obtaining the permit, renewable yearly and expected to be a continuous revenue stream for the police has been fraught with extortion and all manner of glitches. With approximately 11.8 million motor vehicles in the country, more than half of them are equipped with tinted glass, right from the European countries where they are brought in from. Even if the police capture half of that number, the amount would be a significant sum, as 5.9 million vehicles, charged N16,000 apiece would yield N94.4 billion.

Before the date for enforcement was extended to October, several motorists complained about a groundswell of challenges that they had to contend with. According to some in Lagos State, after several failed attempts to register, the portal repeatedly rejected both their Bank Verification Numbers and National Identity Numbers, despite the details being complete and accurate. Venue of the portals was, not surprisingly, chaotic; and many applicants had to bribe police officers to get their data captured. Some people claimed to have spent close to N40,000 before being finally attended to. A motorist lamented that he had a collection of three different ‘tinted glass permits’ issued in the past under different IGPs. He said: “I am not aware of any modern vehicle that comes with completely plain (‘un-tinted’) glasses. The darkness of the tint could differ, but every vehicle is fitted with tinted glass to varying degrees. I can understand if questions are raised regarding motorists who install cellophane tint to make their vehicles darker.”

It is in light of this that many see the Police’s insistence on enforcing the regime as extortionist, especially given the fact that these tints are factory-fitted. Moreover, most criminal operations are not carried out with vehicle with tinted shield but with motorcycles. Up North, over 200 bikes are used by insurgents or bandits in one fell swoop to commit heinous crimes, just the same way as hundreds of vehicles with plain glasses are used in committing crimes.

Much as the police has not advanced any comprehensive data to show that crimes committed with the use of tinted cars were on the rise, transitioning from a one-time permit to a yearly renewal system will lead to continuous, burdensome financial obligations for vehicle owners, just as the yearly renewal process will involve bureaucratic procedures that are sloppy, time-consuming and may lead to delays that will ultimately create frustration for vehicle owners who need to ensure they remain compliant with the law. As already playing out, some patently corrupt police officers see these avenues as opportunities for unjust self-enrichment.

Insisting on yearly renewals diverts attention and resources from more effective crime-fighting strategies, and the emphasis on routine checks for permits may hinder the deployment of resources toward technological advancements or state/community policing initiatives that could yield better results against crime.

The police already face significant logistical challenges, including inadequate infrastructure and personnel. Implementing a yearly renewal system could exacerbate these problems, making it harder to enforce compliance effectively.

Rather than implementing a potentially flawed system and raising billions of naira in the process, it is wiser for the police to consider comprehensive reforms that have the capacity to address the root causes of crime in society and strengthen trust within communities. This includes a focus on training, community engagement, and the adoption of advanced technology. These may be coupled with regular checks of vehicles with tinted glasses, especially when such vehicles are completely wound up.

The major potential of yearly renewal is to rake in revenue, rather than boost security. This idea therefore should be discontinued as it appears more like an administrative burden than a genuine crime-fighting measure. Even as the police reconsider the entire scheme, prioritising technology and reforming existing structures may have a more substantial and lasting impact on crime reduction and public safety in Nigeria.