Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to receive the Executive Bill on the proposed establishment of state police on September 3, marking another significant step in the ongoing effort to reform Nigeria’s security architecture. According to Gbajabiamila, the proposed legislation is intended to provide a legal framework for the creation of state police, following extensive consultations involving the Federal Government, state governments, security experts, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders. He explained that the initiative is aimed at strengthening internal security, improving community policing, and enabling faster responses to emerging security challenges across the country. Supporters of the proposal believe that decentralising certain policing responsibilities could improve intelligence gathering, enhance collaboration with local communities, and strengthen efforts to combat crimes such as kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, armed robbery, and communal violence. However, the proposal has also generated diverse opinions, with some stakeholders expressing concerns about potential political interference, funding, accountability, and the need for strong constitutional safeguards to prevent abuse. Constitutional and security analysts noted that any transition to a state policing system would require clearly defined operational guidelines, effective oversight mechanisms, and close coordination between federal and state security institutions. They added that sustained investment in training, technology, logistics, and personnel welfare would be essential for the successful implementation of the proposed reform. The Executive Bill is expected to undergo further legislative consideration once transmitted through the appropriate constitutional process. Stakeholders have continued to call for broad national consensus to ensure that any security reform strengthens public safety while protecting human rights and the rule of law. The proposed state police initiative remains one of the most closely watched governance reforms as Nigeria seeks lasting solutions to its complex security challenges.
