Nigeria is advancing a key police reform that would allow its 36 states to establish their own police forces, a move aimed at addressing security challenges across the country. The proposal has secured approval from two-thirds of the state assemblies, clearing the main legislative obstacle toward amending the constitution to decentralize policing.
President Bola Tinubu has championed the reform amid escalating insecurity, which poses a significant obstacle ahead of his bid for a second term in the January elections. Supporters argue that state-level police units would reduce ungoverned spaces and enhance national security by providing forces that are more responsive, accountable, and familiar with local dynamics.
Currently, Nigeria’s federal police remains the sole law enforcement body, but critics describe it as overstretched and ineffective in confronting the diverse threats confronting the nation. These challenges include a protracted insurgency in the north involving Islamist militants and banditry, widespread farmer-herder conflicts in the central region, and a low-level separatist insurgency in the southeast.
The reform has been approved by 24 of Nigeria’s state houses of assembly and, according to Femi Gbajabiamila, the president’s chief of staff, the legislation will now be sent back to the National Assembly for final transmission to the president for assent.
Despite the potential benefits, some analysts caution that empowering states to control their own police forces may exacerbate existing political tensions. Nigeria’s regional governors hold considerable influence, and there are concerns that local police could become tools for political interests in a country with a history of violent power struggles.
Bayo Onanuga, a spokesman for President Tinubu, expressed optimism about the reform, indicating it would soon become a reality and contribute positively to reducing insecurity.
As Nigeria grapples with complex security landscapes, the decentralization of policing represents a significant shift in the country’s efforts to stabilize and better govern its diverse regions. The next steps in the legislative process will determine the final shape of this reform.