The State of Policing in Nigeria

Nigeria is nearing a significant shift in its policing structure, with the establishment of state police forces on the horizon. A constitutional amendment, already approved by the National Assembly, paves the way for this decentralization.

The proposal has garnered support from the speakers of the 36 state assemblies, and President Bola Tinubu, a long-time advocate for state police, is expected to sign it into law. The amendment requires endorsement from 24 of the 36 states to be finalized.

Arguments for state police center on the principle of true federalism, with proponents suggesting that the current centralized system hinders efficiency. They point to the United States as an example of a federation with both national and subnational policing. The vast size of Nigeria, both in landmass and population, is also cited as a reason why policing from Abuja alone is insufficient.

With state police, governors would theoretically become the chief security officers of their respective states, gaining control over recruitment, appointment, and funding. While they would not have a say in operational matters, this decentralization aims to improve responsiveness and accountability in policing across the country, especially in light of ongoing security challenges.