Governments Call for Constitutional Protections for State Police

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

During a meeting that concluded early Thursday morning, the governors of all 36 states, convened under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), unanimously endorsed the immediate creation of state police forces.

They also stressed that such a structure must be constitutionally protected and aligned with principles of federalism and citizens’ rights.

Following a session in Abuja that ran from Wednesday into early Thursday, the governors, in a communiqué signed by NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq along with the state executives, reported that they had received a presentation from the Forum’s secretariat and a delegation of the Honourable Attorneys‑General of the States on efforts to support the establishment of state police.

The governors noted that they had engaged in a dedicated consultation with the attorneys‑general to review the proposed constitutional amendments and frameworks.

In April, the governors had backed what they described as the proactive development of a state police framework by the secretariat, the umbrella body of the forum, in preparation for the proposed constitutional amendments.

The framework outlines key readiness requirements, including governance structures, financing models, human‑capital standards, digital systems and oversight mechanisms.

In a communique read after the meeting by Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Forum highlighted the collaborative effort and added that the consultation outcomes would strengthen the states’ collective position.

Abiodun said, “We, members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), at our meeting held today, deliberated on issues affecting the country.”

“Following extensive deliberations, the Forum resolved as follows: The Forum received a presentation from the NGF Secretariat and a delegation of the Honourable Attorneys‑General of the States on efforts to support establishing State Police in Nigeria. It noted a dedicated consultation with the attorneys‑general to review the proposed constitutional amendments and frameworks.”

“Governors emphasised the need for the State Police to be constitutionally sound and aligned with federalism and citizens’ rights. The Forum noted the collaborative effort and added that the consultation outcomes would strengthen the states’ collective position.”

The governors also reiterated their commitment to ongoing power‑sector reforms and to strengthening collaboration among stakeholders to expand access to reliable and affordable electricity for Nigerians.

According to the communiqué, the Forum received a presentation on the National Solar Super‑Grid (NSSG) Initiative, a proposal to expand electricity access through large‑scale decentralised solar generation integrated with a national high‑voltage transmission network.

Against this backdrop, the governors noted the initiative’s potential to support industrialisation, improve energy security, strengthen state electricity markets and accelerate economic growth.

The governors also resolved to support the National Nutrition 774 (N‑774) Initiative as they reaffirmed their commitment to improving nutrition outcomes and reducing child malnutrition across Nigeria, while noting the ongoing work on the National Nutrition Bill and encouraging continued engagement with relevant stakeholders to strengthen the legal and policy framework for nutrition governance.