Nigeria’s push for state policing has gained strong political backing, as all 36 state governors agreed to support its creation amid rising insecurity across the country.

The decision was reached in Abuja during a Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) meeting that ran from Wednesday into early Thursday.

The communiqué was signed by NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, confirming a united position by subnational leaders.

State police has been widely debated for years, driven by concerns that Nigeria’s centralised policing system cannot effectively tackle local security threats.

Currently, the Nigeria Police Force operates under federal control, limiting states’ authority despite their role as chief security officers.

Governors said their backing depends on legal safeguards to prevent abuse and protect citizens’ rights within a federal structure.

They said, “Governors emphasised the need for the State Police to be constitutionally sound and aligned with federalism and citizens’ rights.”

They added, “The Forum noted the collaborative effort and added that the consultation outcomes would strengthen the States’ collective position.”

Legislative Push Gains Momentum

The governors’ stance follows ongoing constitutional efforts at the National Assembly to formalise state policing across Nigeria.

The House of Representatives has passed a bill on state police, while the Senate has advanced it through second reading.

This legislative process is key, as Nigeria’s constitution currently centralises policing powers at the federal level.

To address this, state attorneys-general have been working with the NGF to draft amendments and operational frameworks.

Their consultations focus on command structure, funding, recruitment standards, and oversight mechanisms to avoid political misuse.

The governors said they received detailed presentations from both the NGF secretariat and state legal officers before adopting their position.

The growing consensus reflects increasing pressure on leaders to find localised solutions to banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence.

Power And Nutrition Plans Also Advance

Beyond security, the NGF also reviewed national energy and public health initiatives aimed at improving living conditions.

Governors restated support for ongoing electricity sector changes and closer collaboration to expand reliable power supply.

They were briefed on the National Solar Super-Grid (NSSG), a plan to deploy large-scale solar generation linked to a national transmission system.

The initiative seeks to boost electricity access, strengthen energy security, and support industrial growth across states.

Nigeria’s power sector has long struggled with low generation and unstable supply, affecting businesses and households.

Meanwhile, the governors backed the National Nutrition 774 (N-774) programme targeting improved nutrition outcomes in all local government areas.

The plan focuses on reducing child malnutrition, which remains a major public health issue in Nigeria.

They also welcomed progress on the National Nutrition Bill, encouraging continued engagement to strengthen its legal framework.

With security, power, and health on the agenda, the NGF’s resolutions signal a coordinated effort by states to take on more responsibility in governance.

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