Nigeria Must Fix Policing and Get It Right
Femi Gbajabiamila Nigeria has debated state police for decades. We are now closer than ever to creating it. Yet the harder question is not simply whether policing should be brought
Nigeria has long debated the formation of state police, and recent efforts are nearing completion. However, the critical question is not merely if policing should be brought closer to the people, but how to do so without exacerbating existing issues. The reforms underway aim to create a legal framework for a dual policing system, combining the National Policing Bill with constitutional amendments.
The current Constitution permits only one police force, Section 214. While the National Assembly has approved proposed changes to allow federal and state police services, final approval requires ratification by at least 24 of the 36 state parliaments. Without this approval, the constitutional basis for state police will not exist, rendering the National Policing Bill ineffective.
Once approved, the National Policing Bill will establish national standards for recruitment, vetting, training, pay, pensions, equipment, and professional conduct. It will also outline rules for force usage, complaints, discipline, independent oversight, intelligence sharing, cooperation between services, funding, and the transition to the dual system.
While state police services will not be automatically established nationwide, states opting to create services will need enabling laws, institutions, and funding. They must also meet national conditions for operation before officers can begin policing. States not ready for state police will continue to be served by federal police.
The primary goal of this reform is to deliver policing that is more local, responsive, and informed by community needs, while safeguarding Nigerians from abuse. Officers familiar with a community's language, geography, and crime patterns can better gather intelligence and respond swiftly. State governments will also have clearer responsibility for their residents' security needs.
However, proximity alone does not ensure justice. Concerns about governors misusing state police against political opponents, minorities, or dissenters are valid and must be addressed through the law's design.
State police services must have genuine authority within their lawful jurisdiction, but every police service remains bound by the Constitution, human rights, and the rule of law. Standards should ensure proper recruitment, training, equipment, and supervision, and provide credible complaints and oversight mechanisms for citizens.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu formed the Presidential Working Group to prepare the executive proposal for this framework. A Policy Advisory Committee assists with legal, operational, and financial considerations, testing policy choices and guiding legislative drafting.
Public participation is crucial, and consultations are open through August 13, 2026. While public input is valuable, the National Assembly retains authority to scrutinize and decide on legislative proposals. This distinction emphasizes the importance of Parliament's role in the reform process.
Written by urgent.news from This Day's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
