Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has expressed confidence that all 36 state Houses of Assembly will simultaneously approve the proposed constitutional amendment establishing state police, describing the reform as the realisation of a long-standing aspiration shared by governors across the country.
Speaking at the ARISE NEWS Townhall on State Police, Abiodun described June 24, 2026, as a landmark date in Nigeria’s democratic history, saying President Bola Tinubu’s transmission of the executive bill and its immediate consideration by the Senate marked a breakthrough after previous administrations failed to achieve similar reforms.
“What we aim to do is to ensure that all our Houses of Assembly pass this bill on the same day. What we see here is a dream that we’ve had for so many years unfolding, The 24th day of June 2026 will remain a historic day in the history of this country. And that was the day that Mr. President sent the executive bill on the creation of state police in the National Assembly, and the same day, the Senate deliberated on this bill and effectively passed this bill.”
He said the proposal had gained broad national acceptance because of extensive consultations among critical stakeholders before reaching the legislature. “I’m very excited that we’re even here, having this kind of discussion, because it has gotten the widely acting national consensus.”
Abiodun explained that governors had long
advocated state policing because, although they are constitutionally regarded as chief security officers of their states, they possess limited operational authority despite bearing much of the financial responsibility for policing.
“It’s a subject that we have long desired, because, like you all know, we are meant to be the chief security officers of the real states, and hitherto, we’ve had very little powers. And despite that, we have been largely responsible for funding and supporting the police commissions in our various states, because, of course, our primary community is peace, security, welfare, well being over citizens.”
He disclosed that the Nigeria Governors’ Forum established a committee comprising governors and state attorneys-general to examine the proposal and support the executive bill before its presentation to the National Assembly. “The Nigeria governors for, had immediately set up a committee of governors and some of our attorneys general, to begin to deliberate, interrogate this subject matter, so that we can provide the necessary support to this executive bill, and that is exactly what has transpired today.”
According to the him, the proposed state police structure validates years of advocacy for community policing and builds on the success of regional security initiatives such as the South-west Security Network, Amotekun. “What we see here is what I believe validates what we’ve was such a long term advocate for, which is community policing.”
Abiodun said the reform would also strengthen security by increasing the number of personnel available across the country while improving the police-to-population ratio. “If today that whistle is blown, you have probably an extra 300 to 400,000 boots on the ground in all states.”
He stressed, however, that passing the constitutional amendment would only be the first stage of the process, saying lawmakers and stakeholders would next focus on developing the legal framework governing the operations of state police. “The bulk of the work is in sitting down, and in ensuring that that new bill speaks to how the new state police will function, how they will be structured, how they relate to the new national police, the guardrails to ensure that there are no abuse.”
The governor said the proposed legislation would cover issues such as funding, training, oversight, police service commissions and operational standards to ensure the new policing system functions effectively. “The funding for this police, the training for the police, and all other associated measures that will ensure that, indeed, the new state police functions as envisioned.”
Abiodun also revealed that he is serving on a federal government committee tasked with preparing the operational framework for state policing within seven weeks. “I have the privilege of also being part of the working committee that is set up by the federal government, to ensure that in the next seven weeks, come up with what should reflect what this new bill should look like.”
Responding to questions about the future of joint security operations such as Operation Kòsàyè, the governor said state police would complement the federal police, with responsibilities clearly divided between both institutions. “Issues that relate to federal issues, federal crimes, will still be attended to by the federal police, issues of terrorism, issues that are interstate, will be attended to by federal police, whilst local issues will be dealt with by the state police.”
He added that state police officers would largely be recruited from their respective states to strengthen intelligence gathering and improve community policing. “They will be recruited from that state, they understand, and they are very familiar with the terrain, they speak the language, they are closer to the people, they be able to provide better intelligence.”
Abiodun further said existing laws, including those governing firearms, would require amendment to accommodate the new policing structure while maintaining federal oversight of licensing and professional standards. “You cannot have a state police, that will not be armed. Of course, there must be adequate control mechanisms, to ensure that a licensing or oversight authority still remains at the federal.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
