President Bola Tinubu’s call for state policing is seen as a turning point in security reform in Nigeria, balancing local needs with national oversight.
The debate on how best to secure Nigeria has often returned to one recurring idea: decentralising the police.
For years, advocates have argued that a centralised policing system is ill-suited for a country as vast and diverse as Nigeria.
Now, with President Bola Tinubu openly endorsing the establishment of state police, what was once a distant proposal has suddenly moved closer to reality.
The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG), in a statement signed by Chairman Emeka Nwankpa and Secretary Dapo Okubanjo, described the President’s stance as not only historic but also a decisive step toward comprehensive security reform in Nigeria.
The group noted that this is the first time a sitting President has clearly and publicly backed the idea, setting Tinubu apart from his predecessors.
Efforts to establish state police are not new. The most prominent attempt came in 2018, when then-Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who chaired the Constitution Review Committee, sponsored a bill to create the legal framework for state policing.
Despite the momentum at the time, the bill failed to secure enough support.
Ekweremadu tried again in 2020, but that effort also collapsed in the face of political hesitation.
Past Presidents were equally reluctant. Goodluck Jonathan only began speaking in favour of decentralised policing after leaving office. Muhammadu Buhari went the opposite way, dismissing state police in a 2022 television interview, arguing it was not an option for Nigeria’s security woes.
His opposition echoed the fears of many Nigerians who worried that governors might use state police as tools of political intimidation.
Tinubu’s open advocacy, therefore, represents a turning point. Unlike others, he is pursuing reform while in office and is willing to tackle both the potential benefits and the risks head-on.
TMSG believes the current momentum is different. Both chambers of the National Assembly are already working on legislation to amend Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution, which currently restricts policing to a single, federal force.
Tinubu’s position, according to the group, is a clear signal to lawmakers to act swiftly.
“We see the President’s position as a call for urgent legislative action,” the statement read.
“Political concerns will always surface, but they must not derail the need for reform that responds to today’s security challenges.”
The group added that the reform aligns with Tinubu’s long-standing advocacy for decentralised policing, which he had championed during his years as Lagos State governor.
His conviction, they argue, is rooted in the belief that security is best managed at the level closest to the people.
Still, the concerns that stalled earlier attempts remain. Critics warn of the danger of governors exploiting state police to suppress dissent or target political opponents.
TMSG acknowledged these fears but expressed confidence that Tinubu’s administration will design safeguards to prevent abuse.
“There are already indications that the federal government may establish oversight mechanisms, possibly through a central coordinating body, to ensure uniform standards and accountability,” the group explained.
“This would prevent governors from having unchecked control.”
Analysts also argue that proper training, funding structures, and judicial oversight will be crucial to ensuring state police serve communities rather than political interests.
In this regard, Tinubu’s insistence on balance—empowering states while preserving national cohesion—may prove critical.
The urgency of reform is underscored by Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.
From insurgency in the northeast, to banditry in the northwest, to rising kidnapping cases across the country, the federal police have often been stretched beyond capacity.
A single command structure struggles to respond effectively to diverse local threats spread across 36 states.
Advocates argue that state police could reduce response times, improve intelligence gathering, and tailor strategies to local conditions.
Communities in rural areas, for instance, often know their security threats better than officers sent from faraway divisions.
By tapping into local knowledge and strengthening accountability at state level, Nigeria could build a more responsive security framework.
Comparisons are often made with countries like the United States, India, and South Africa, where local or state policing systems operate alongside federal security agencies.
While not without challenges, these models demonstrate how decentralised structures can coexist with national oversight, offering lessons Nigeria could adapt to its own context.
For TMSG, the establishment of state police could become one of Tinubu’s most enduring legacies.
“This is more than a campaign promise—it is a blueprint for lasting security reform,” the group stated.
“If successful, it will mark a fundamental shift in how Nigeria manages its internal security.”
The group stressed that the President’s proactive stance reflects courage and foresight, especially given the political sensitivities surrounding the issue.
“By publicly endorsing state police while in power, Tinubu has broken with tradition. He is showing a readiness to act, not just talk, and that is what makes this moment different.”
As the National Assembly resumes, attention will now shift to how lawmakers handle the pending constitutional amendment.
The coming weeks will test whether Tinubu’s call can translate into concrete legislative progress.
For many Nigerians weary of insecurity, the hope is that this reform will finally provide relief, ensuring that security forces are not just present but also effective in their duty.
By balancing decentralisation with accountability, the administration aims to design a system that strengthens both state and national security.
In the words of TMSG, “This initiative represents a pragmatic solution to one of Nigeria’s most urgent challenges.
“With the right safeguards, state police can transform internal security management and bring communities the protection they desperately need.”
For now, Tinubu’s advocacy has placed the issue firmly back on the front burner, rekindling hope that decentralised policing will move from debate to reality—and in doing so, redefine the landscape of security reform in Nigeria.
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