16/05/2026
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made a definitive shift from the hesitation of previous administrations, now actively advocating for the **establishment of state police** in Nigeria. His current stand is that security is a "local" issue that requires local solutions, and he is pushing for a constitutional amendment to make this a reality.
Based on recent developments in early 2026, here is a deep breakdown of his plan and specific conditions:
# # # 1. The Core Stand: "Security is Local"
The President has moved past the debate of *if* state police should exist to *how* it should be implemented. He has publicly called on both the Senate and the House of Representatives to "tinker with the constitution" to accommodate this change. His stated goal is to:
* **Reclaim Ungoverned Spaces:** Specifically targeting the takeover of forests from bandits and "marauders."
* **Enhance Rapid Response:** Empowering states to respond to threats within their jurisdictions without waiting for orders from Abuja.
* **Strengthen Grassroots Policing:** Moving toward a model where officers are familiar with the terrain and communities they protect.
# # # 2. The Implementation Plan
The President's roadmap involves a multi-tiered legislative and collaborative approach:
* **Constitutional Amendment:** Since policing is currently on the "Exclusive Legislative List," he is working with the National Assembly to move it to the "Concurrent List." This requires a two-thirds majority in both federal chambers and ratification by 24 out of 36 State Houses of Assembly.
* **Executive-Legislative Synergy:** He has held several interfaith meetings and dinners with the leadership of the 10th National Assembly (Senate and Reps) to build consensus and speed up the legal framework.
* **State Governor Collaboration:** He is working through the National Economic Council and the Nigeria Governors' Forum to ensure states are financially and logistically ready to bear the cost.
# # # 3. Key Conditions & Safeguards
Significantly, the President has introduced a "cautionary" phase to the plan. He has explicitly warned that state policing must not be a "straight free fall." His plan includes:
* **Preventing Political Abuse:** He has urged lawmakers to build in checks and balances so that state governors cannot weaponize the police against political opponents—a major concern cited from Nigeria’s First Republic.
* **Political Neutrality:** The proposed framework aims to guarantee "local ownership" while ensuring the force remains professional and neutral.
* **Complementary Roles:** State police are intended to *complement*, not replace, the federal Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
# # # 4. Recent Actions (April – May 2026)
* **National Police Day (April 2026):** The President (via Vice President Shettima) reaffirmed that while state police are the goal, the Federal Government is simultaneously investing in "modern law enforcement systems" and intelligence gathering for the existing NPF to ensure there is no security vacuum during the transition.
* **New Leadership:** Following the resignation of IGP Kayode Egbetokun, the President appointed **Tunji Disu** as the new Inspector-General, tasked with leading the NPF through this period of structural reform.
# # # Summary Table: The State Police Outlook
| Feature | President Tinubu's Position |
|---|---|
| **Current Status** | **Active Support;** Constitutional amendment process underway. |
| **Primary Goal** | To curb kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism via local intelligence. |
| **Main Concern** | Potential for governors to use state police for political intimidation. |
| **Funding** | Expected to be a shared responsibility, with states taking the lead for their units. |
| **Legislative Path** | Requires 2/3 National Assembly vote + 24 State Assemblies' approval.
Presidential Villa Nigerian Senate of Representatives, National Assembly, Nigeria Nigeria Police Force of Police Affairs, Nigeria Governors' Forum"
