President Tinubu Urges Action: Nigeria's Path to State Police and Decentralized Security

Nigeria's long-sought objective of security decentralization has entered a decisive phase, signaling a critical moment in the nation's police reform efforts.

President Bola Tinubu has formally engaged the National Assembly, making an urgent plea for them to "begin work immediately" on the legislative framework necessary to establish State Police.

This move signifies a major commitment by the current administration to move away from the current, centrally-controlled security structure and address the escalating insecurity challenges across the country.

The proposed transition to decentralised policing is viewed as a key strategy to improve local intelligence gathering, response times, and overall effectiveness in combating crime and terrorism. Key stakeholders, including state governors and various civil society organizations, have long championed this shift as essential for achieving true fiscal federalism and enhancing public safety.

President Tinubu's directive sets the stage for potentially landmark constitutional amendments, making the establishment of state-level police forces a central pillar of Nigeria's current political and security agenda.