Nigeria’s conversation on state policing has entered a decisive phase. At the recent Building a National Consensus for State Police and National Security event in Abuja, organised by Arise News Channel, governors, security chiefs, lawmakers and policy experts examined one of the country’s most significant security reforms: the establishment of state police.
The case for decentralising policing has become increasingly compelling. With a rapidly growing population spread across 36 states and 774 local government areas, security challenges have become more complex and often require responses that are closer to the communities they affect. The State Police Bill before the National Assembly seeks to address this reality by creating a framework for more responsive and effective policing while providing appropriate safeguards to ensure accountability.
Speaking at the event, the Leader of the Senate, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, emphasised another important dimension of the ongoing reform conversation. While expressing support for the establishment of state police, he noted that the full benefits of decentralised policing would be better realised when local government autonomy is fully actualised.
His position reflects the understanding that security is most effective when it is rooted in the communities it serves. Local governments remain the closest tier of government to the people, with established relationships across wards, traditional institutions, community associations and grassroots stakeholders. These networks can provide valuable support for intelligence gathering, early warning mechanisms and stronger collaboration between security agencies and local communities.
Senator Bamidele’s point is therefore not an argument against state policing. Rather, it is an acknowledgment that complementary reforms can strengthen its implementation. As local governments continue to assume their constitutional responsibilities with greater financial and administrative independence, they will be better positioned to support community-based security initiatives and contribute meaningfully to the success of state policing.
This perspective also aligns with the broader efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deepen governance at the grassroots through the implementation of local government autonomy. Bringing governance and service delivery closer to the people naturally complements efforts to bring security closer to the communities where citizens live and work.
The proposed State Police Bill already contains important institutional safeguards, including oversight mechanisms, professional standards and defined constitutional responsibilities. These measures provide a solid foundation for responsible implementation while preserving national security coordination.
As the National Assembly continues its work on this important legislation, Senator Bamidele’s intervention adds valuable context to the national conversation. It highlights that while the establishment of state police is an important reform, its effectiveness can be further strengthened by vibrant and autonomous local governments that serve as true partners in community security.
Ultimately, both reforms share a common objective: improving governance, enhancing public safety and ensuring that government institutions are better positioned to respond to the needs of Nigerians. Viewed together, state policing and effective local government administration represent complementary pillars in the ongoing effort to build a more secure and responsive federation.
*Tolu Meduna is a Policy Communications, Development and Social Impact Consultant.