BREAKING: State Governors Back State Police, Constitution Amendment [DETAILS]

Governors of the 36 states in the country have backed the establishment of state police and constitution amendment, but stressed that any new policing structure must be backed by clear constitutional provisions and must protect citizens’ rights.

The governors made their position known after the second meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum held in Abuja, which stretched from Wednesday into the early hours of Thursday.

The meeting focused on major national issues, including security, electricity reform, and nutrition. However, discussions around state policing dominated deliberations as insecurity continues to remain a pressing concern across many parts of the country.

In a communiqué signed by NGF Chairman and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the governors disclosed that they reviewed fresh progress made toward creating a workable state police system.

According to the forum, members received detailed presentations from the NGF Secretariat and a delegation of state Attorneys-General on the ongoing efforts to support the establishment of state police across Nigeria.

The governors said the discussions also involved consultations aimed at reviewing proposed constitutional amendments and operational frameworks that would guide implementation.

Speaking after the meeting, Dapo Abiodun said governors agreed that state policing remains an important step in addressing security challenges, but insisted that the structure must be carefully designed.

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 renewed push for state police comes months after governors collectively endorsed the development of a framework to support the initiative.

That framework outlines major requirements needed for implementation. These include funding models, governance systems, oversight structures, personnel development, and digital infrastructure required to ensure accountability and efficiency.

Beyond security, the governors also discussed reforms in Nigeria’s power sector.

The forum reiterated support for ongoing electricity reforms and pledged stronger collaboration to improve power supply nationwide.

Governors also reviewed a presentation on the National Solar Super-Grid Initiative, a major proposal aimed at expanding electricity access through large-scale decentralised solar generation linked to a national transmission network.

According to the forum, the initiative could significantly improve energy security, deepen industrial growth, strengthen state electricity markets, and support economic expansion.

The governors further pledged support for the National Nutrition 774 Initiative as part of efforts to tackle malnutrition, especially among children.

They also acknowledged ongoing work on the National Nutrition Bill and encouraged further engagement with stakeholders to strengthen legal and policy frameworks for nutrition governance in the country.