Abiodun optimistic state assemblies will pass state police bill simultaneously
Ogun State Governor Announces Support for State Police Amendment
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has expressed confidence that all 36 State Houses of Assembly will approve the constitutional amendment bill aimed at establishing state police. He characterized this move as a pivotal advance in Nigeria’s internal security framework.
Speaking during a Town Hall Meeting hosted by Arise Television, Abiodun noted that the initiative has garnered significant national consensus. He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for forwarding the Executive Bill to the National Assembly and acknowledged the contributions of lawmakers and other stakeholders in advancing the legislation.
Abiodun marked June 24, 2026, as a historic date in Nigeria’s democratic evolution, referring to it as the day the Executive Bill on state police was presented to the National Assembly and reviewed swiftly by the Senate.
He pointed out that previous administrations had attempted to establish state police without success, which makes the current momentum particularly noteworthy. “I want to thank Arise TV for organizing this important town hall meeting on a matter that has now become a national consensus,” said Abiodun.
As chair of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Committee on State Police Creation, Abiodun emphasized the role of governors in shaping the bill. He underscored that although governors are recognized constitutionally as the Chief Security Officers of their states, they have historically had limited control over policing, despite being responsible for much of the financial support for police operations.
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum has formed a committee of governors and state Attorneys-General to collaborate closely with both the executive and legislative branches in developing the bill.
“The bill incorporates our input, and we are excited because what we are witnessing today is the realization of a dream we have nurtured for many years,” Abiodun added, highlighting the validation of the governors’ long-standing advocacy for community policing.
He also noted that the proposed state police structure would build on the achievements of existing regional security initiatives, such as the South-West Security Network, known as Amotekun. This network has reportedly complemented traditional policing through intelligence gathering and community outreach.
Abiodun asserted that establishing state police would significantly improve the police-to-citizen ratio in Nigeria and create job opportunities across all 774 local government areas. He indicated that Nigeria’s current ratio stands at approximately one police officer for every 660 citizens, far above the United Nations recommended ratio of one officer to 440 citizens and the global standard of one officer to 250 citizens.
Using Ogun State as an example, Abiodun stated that the state has around 6,000 personnel including those in Amotekun, the So-Safe Corps, and other security groups. He suggested that similar structures across Nigeria could provide an additional 300,000 to 400,000 security personnel.
The proposed constitutional amendment aims to shift policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List, empowering states to create their own police forces.
Abiodun expressed optimism that, due to the extensive consultations and involvement of governors in drafting the bill, state legislatures would consider and pass the amendment simultaneously upon its transmission.
However, he cautioned that significant work remains in operationalizing the new policing framework. He mentioned that amendments to the existing Police Act would be needed to align with the new constitutional provisions.
Moving forward, Abiodun outlined the necessity for establishing an operational framework for state police, including defining its structure, oversight mechanisms, funding models, training standards, and creating institutions such as police councils and police service commissions.
He emphasized that these measures are crucial to ensure that state police operate effectively, professionally, and in a manner that enhances security while safeguarding the rights of Nigerian citizens.
