By Lizzy Chirkpi
After decades of contentious debates, failed constitutional amendments and deep political divisions, Nigeria may finally be edging closer to one of its most significant security reforms yet — the establishment of state police.
The National Assembly’s recent approval of the State Police Bill marks the furthest any proposal on decentralised policing has advanced in years, reviving hopes among advocates who believe the reform could transform Nigeria’s response to growing insecurity.
Previous attempts to create state-controlled police forces repeatedly stalled amid fears that governors could deploy such institutions against political opponents, critics and dissenting voices. Skeptics also questioned whether existing security agencies had been sufficiently funded and reformed before introducing an entirely new policing structure.
Others raised concerns about the financial implications, warning that economically weaker states might struggle to establish, fund and sustain professional police services.
This time, however, the proposal appears to have gathered unprecedented momentum.
The constitutional amendment bill, which still requires the approval of at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly before it can become law, seeks to decentralise policing by allowing states to establish their own police forces alongside the existing federal structure.
Under the proposed amendment, policing would no longer be the exclusive responsibility of the Federal Government. States wishing to establish police services would be required to enact enabling laws through their respective Houses of Assembly and meet nationally prescribed standards before commencing operations.
The framework also provides for the continued existence of the Nigeria Police Force, while clearly defining the responsibilities of both federal and state policing authorities. Federal police would retain responsibility for national security and other federal policing functions, while state police would focus on local security challenges.
To address concerns over abuse and jurisdictional conflicts, the proposal outlines national oversight mechanisms and operational guidelines designed to maintain professional standards and accountability.
Supporters argue that decentralised policing could significantly improve intelligence gathering, enhance community engagement and reduce emergency response times by placing security personnel closer to the people they serve.
The renewed push comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with multiple security threats, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, communal violence, farmer-herder conflicts and attacks on critical infrastructure.
The initiative has also gained traction because of growing political consensus. President Bola Tinubu has repeatedly endorsed the creation of state police, while the Nigerian Governors’ Forum has thrown its weight behind the proposal — a level of support that previous efforts lacked.
Public affairs analyst Jide Ojo believes the reform has arrived at a critical moment.
Speaking in a telephone interview with Pointblanknews.com, Ojo expressed optimism that state police could strengthen security if implemented within a clearly defined legal framework.
“I believe so, provided the framework is well spelled out, so that there is no clash between the federal and the state policing authorities,” he said.
Asked whether the current effort reflects genuine commitment or is merely a response to rising insecurity and high-profile kidnapping incidents, Ojo argued that the political environment has shifted considerably.
“This is the best time. The Presidency has bought into it. President Bola Tinubu has spoken about it more than twice. The Nigerian Governors’ Forum has bought into it. That’s why it took so long. Although there has been wide consultation, so I don’t think there will be any hindrance in the passage of the bill.
“We have come to that full circle where we realized that we have been doing ourselves all this while by having a centralized policing system that is not working.”
For Ojo, the growing acceptance of state police reflects a broader recognition that Nigeria’s increasingly complex security challenges require locally driven solutions backed by a strong national framework.
As Nigerians marked Democracy Day on June 12, he also reflected on the country’s democratic journey, describing it as an evolving process rather than a destination.
“I will say it’s a work in progress. We are not where we ought to be, but we are not where we used to be. Democracy is a journey. It’s not a 100-meter race. It’s going to take us decades, perhaps centuries.
“We will continue to look at it as work in progress in order to make it better and to serve the need of the people. So the point is, our leaders can do better, provided that we put their feet to the fire and we will continue to hold them to account. And that is what the essence of democracy is about. And that’s what makes democracy different from autocracy.
“So, I believe with time, given the sustained pressure on the governance institutions, we will continue to improve until we get to that level where everyone can say, ‘Yes, we have really gotten to that level that we can be proud of.'”
His remarks mirror the wider debate surrounding both security reform and democratic governance in Nigeria.
While proponents argue that bringing policing closer to local communities could strengthen accountability, improve public trust and enhance operational effectiveness, critics insist that robust constitutional safeguards and independent oversight mechanisms will be essential to prevent political interference and abuse.
Ultimately, whether the latest legislative effort succeeds where previous attempts failed will depend not only on securing the required state-level approvals but also on convincing Nigerians that decentralised policing can improve security without compromising civil liberties, professionalism and democratic accountability.
For now, the State Police Bill stands as one of the most ambitious security reform initiatives in Nigeria’s democratic history — a bold attempt to address the limitations of a centralised policing system that many believe has struggled to keep pace with the country’s evolving security realities.
Its success or failure could ultimately test not only Nigeria’s approach to security, but also the strength of its federal structure and democratic institutions.