Nigeria’s push to decentralise policing has entered a decisive stage as the Presidency confirms progress on constitutional amendments aimed at creating state police, even as insecurity and mass abductions intensify pressure for urgent reforms.
By Umar Baba / June 2026
Abuja, Nigeria —Nigeria is edging closer to the establishment of state police as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to finalise the constitutional and legal framework required to decentralise the country’s security architecture.
The development follows months of high-level consultations involving the Presidency, the National Assembly, and top security officials, as authorities respond to rising insecurity, including mass kidnappings and attacks on communities across several regions.
PRESIDENCY CONFIRMS PROGRESS ON FRAMEWORK
The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed that significant progress has been made on the proposed state police framework during a consultative meeting held at the State House, Abuja.
According to him, discussions initiated under the directive of President Bola Tinubu have moved from conceptual debates to concrete constitutional drafting.
He stressed that while the process is complex, momentum has now been established.
“Establishing state police is not something you do with the snap of the fingers. There is a lot involved constitutionally and legally, but we have now gained traction,” Gbajabiamila said.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT NOW PRIORITY
Officials confirmed that the current focus is securing constitutional amendments before introducing enabling legislation that would define operational structures.
Gbajabiamila explained that the administration is prioritising legal reforms that would allow decentralised policing within Nigeria’s federal structure.
He added that detailed legislative work would follow once constitutional approval is secured.
BROADENING NATIONAL CONSENSUS EMERGES
According to the Presidency, the national conversation has shifted significantly from whether state police should be created to how it should function.
Stakeholders now appear increasingly aligned on the need for reform, although disagreements persist over safeguards, funding, and oversight mechanisms.
Security analysts note that this shift reflects growing recognition that centralised policing has struggled to contain rising insecurity across parts of the country.
HIGH-LEVEL ATTENDANCE AT STRATEGIC MEETING
The consultative session was attended by senior government officials, including Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, and Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, alongside other top security and policy actors.
The presence of both legislative and security leadership signals an accelerated push toward legislative action in the National Assembly.
SECURITY PRESSURE DRIVING REFORM AGENDA
The renewed urgency around state police comes amid worsening security challenges, including mass abductions, rural attacks, and armed group activity in several regions.
Recent high-profile incidents, including the abduction of 39 pupils and seven teachers in Oyo State, have intensified public pressure on government to rethink Nigeria’s policing structure.
The attack triggered widespread protests and an indefinite strike by teachers, further amplifying calls for systemic reform.
DEBATE OVER RISKS AND STRUCTURE CONTINUES
While momentum is building, policy divisions remain over how state police would operate within Nigeria’s federal system.
Supporters argue that decentralisation will strengthen intelligence gathering, improve response time, and enhance community-based security.
Critics, however, warn of risks including political misuse by state authorities, funding disparities, and potential escalation of regional or ethnic tensions if safeguards are weak.
GOVERNMENT POSITION
President Bola Tinubu has previously described state police as an unavoidable reform in addressing Nigeria’s evolving security threats, urging lawmakers to accelerate related constitutional processes.
The administration maintains that a structured decentralisation, backed by legal safeguards, is necessary to strengthen internal security.
Nigeria’s move toward state policing is transitioning from political debate to legislative reality, with the Presidency confirming that constitutional amendment work is now at an advanced stage.
However, the success of the reform will ultimately depend on how effectively the government resolves longstanding concerns over control, funding, and accountability within a decentralised security system.
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