The Presidency said on Thursday that a constitutional amendment to establish state police will come within weeks, after three months of intensive talks among federal and state officials.
Femi Gbajabiamila, the President's Chief of Staff, made the announcement after a high-level meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the push for state police and that consultations have now moved past the question of whether to create the force, focusing instead on how to structure it legally and operationally.
"Establishing state police is not something that you do with the snap of the fingers," Gbajabiamila said. "There is a lot involved in terms of constitution and legalities, and thank God we have now gained a lot of traction." He explained that once the constitutional amendment passes, enabling legislation will follow.
The meeting brought together the Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau; Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu; Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi; and Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, among other senior government figures. Tinubu will receive a comprehensive report on the consultation outcomes.
State police has become a central part of the government's strategy to fix Nigeria's security crisis. The idea is that decentralised policing would let state governments respond faster to local threats, improve intelligence gathering, and give communities better protection. Security experts and state governors have long pushed for the change, arguing that the Nigeria Police Force alone cannot cover the country's vast territory and varied security needs.
The renewed momentum comes as kidnapping, banditry, and communal clashes continue to plague multiple regions. Supporters say state police would allow governors to hire officers familiar with local conditions and cultures, making policing more effective than a one-size-fits-all federal approach.
Gbajabiamila will present the final framework to Tinubu, who has made decentralised policing a cornerstone of his security agenda. The constitutional amendment is expected to move to the National Assembly within the next few weeks once the Presidency finalises its position.
