High-level Abuja meeting outlines far-reaching proposals on funding, oversight, and operational control as Nigeria edges closer to historic policing overhaul.
By Baron Eloagu – June 23, 2026
ABUJA, NIGERIA – State governors across Nigeria are intensifying efforts to secure expanded constitutional authority over security operations within their jurisdictions, alongside guaranteed funding structures for the proposed State Police Services, according to a high-level policy framework emerging from consultations convened by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Secretariat in Abuja.
A detailed report of the strategic meeting—attended by state Attorneys-General, constitutional law experts, and senior security officials—provides one of the most comprehensive outlines yet of how a decentralised policing system could operate in Nigeria if constitutional amendments are ultimately adopted.
The proposals signal a major shift in the country’s long-running debate over restructuring Nigeria’s security architecture, with state policing now moving from policy discussion to near-legislative reality.
Abuja Security Summit Shapes State Police Blueprint
The NGF meeting was convened to harmonise competing proposals on the establishment of State Police Services across Nigeria’s 36 states.
According to the report, participants worked on a framework covering operational powers, funding mechanisms, personnel deployment, oversight structures, and jurisdictional boundaries between federal and state policing institutions.
The deliberations were described as a “critical milestone” in efforts to redesign Nigeria’s policing system under a cooperative federalism model that balances local security autonomy with national coordination.
Security analysts say the framework represents the most detailed institutional proposal yet developed for state-controlled policing since the return to democratic governance in 1999.
Governors Seek Constitutional Control Over Security Operations
A central recommendation from the meeting is the formal recognition of governors’ authority to coordinate security operations within their states—an issue long described as constitutionally ambiguous.
While governors are currently referred to as “chief security officers,” they lack direct operational control over the Nigeria Police Force, which remains centrally commanded from Abuja.
The report notes that participants reviewed proposed legislative amendments aimed at redefining this relationship, particularly provisions that would give governors a more active role in directing security coordination at the state level.
However, stakeholders also emphasised the need for safeguards to prevent abuse, insisting that any expanded authority must be balanced with “professional independence, accountability structures, and operational checks.”
Funding Model Emerges as Key Flashpoint
Financing emerged as one of the most contentious issues in the proposed framework.
Participants stressed that without constitutionally guaranteed funding, State Police Services could become operationally weak or politically dependent on state executives.
The report calls for “predictable and sustainable funding mechanisms,” including potential constitutional provisions to ensure steady financial allocation for personnel training, logistics, and equipment.
Among options considered were:
- Transitional federal support packages
- State Security Trust Funds
- Private-sector security partnerships
Security experts warn that inconsistent funding has historically undermined law enforcement capacity across Nigeria, a concern the new framework seeks to address structurally.
Dual Policing System Proposed Under Federal Structure
The proposed model introduces a dual policing structure consisting of:
- Federal Police Service
- State Police Services
Under the framework, federal authorities would retain jurisdiction over national security offences, including terrorism, treason, narcotics trafficking, and interstate crimes.
State police, on the other hand, would handle offences defined under state laws and local criminal codes.
The report describes this arrangement as an attempt to operationalise “cooperative federalism” in security governance, with clearly defined legal boundaries between federal and state responsibilities.
Personnel Transfer and Institutional Transition Plan
A major component of the proposal addresses the future of serving police officers.
The framework recommends allowing voluntary transfer of eligible Nigeria Police Force personnel into state police structures, with assurances that rank, seniority, and pension rights would be preserved.
To prevent administrative disruption, the report proposes that such transfers be time-bound and regulated to ensure orderly workforce planning.
It also provides flexibility for states not immediately ready to establish their own police services, allowing federal policing structures to remain in place during transition periods.
Oversight Mechanisms to Prevent Political Abuse
Concerns over political interference dominated discussions, with stakeholders proposing enhanced oversight frameworks to regulate state police operations.
One key recommendation is the inclusion of rotating representation of State Attorneys-General on the National Police Council, aimed at strengthening intergovernmental accountability in policing decisions.
The report emphasises that without robust oversight, state police could risk being politicised, particularly during elections or periods of political tension.
National Assembly Advances Constitutional Amendment Process
The governors’ recommendations come as constitutional reform efforts gain momentum at the National Assembly.
The House of Representatives recently approved amendments to the 1999 Constitution seeking to formally establish State Police Services, while the Senate has passed the bill for second reading and referred it for further review.
If adopted, the reforms would create Nigeria’s first legally recognised dual policing structure since independence.
Longstanding Debate Over State Police Resurfaces
The push for decentralised policing is not new. It has been repeatedly raised in response to escalating insecurity across Nigeria, including:
- Terrorism in the North-East
- Banditry in the North-West
- Communal conflicts in the North-Central
- Kidnapping networks nationwide
- Farmer-herder clashes across multiple regions
Previous national reform platforms, including the 2014 National Conference, also recommended state policing as part of broader constitutional restructuring.
Supporters argue that localised policing improves response time and intelligence gathering, while critics warn of risks of political misuse and fragmentation of national security.
The emerging framework from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum meeting marks a decisive step toward reshaping Nigeria’s security architecture.
If the proposed constitutional amendments are adopted, Nigeria would transition to a dual policing system with state-level forces operating alongside federal security agencies under clearly defined jurisdictions.
While the proposals promise greater responsiveness to local security challenges, they also raise significant questions about funding sustainability, institutional control, and political safeguards.
The outcome of ongoing legislative deliberations is expected to determine whether Nigeria’s long-debated state police system becomes a constitutional reality or remains another stalled reform initiative.
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