Who were the first people who supported the idea of state-level policing in Nigeria?

By Anuoluwapo Idowu

These were the guiding questions I asked on this topic. Initially, I was unsure about who the main supporters of state policing in Nigeria were.

However, I later found out that several prominent individuals have long supported this idea. Among them are Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who was the Premier of the Western Region during Nigeria’s First Republic; former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu; former military head of state Ibrahim Babangida; and many other notable figures who have consistently advocated for state policing in Nigeria.

Historical Context: The Genesis of the Agitation

Chief Obafemi Awolowo was a strong proponent of a regionalised police system.

 He believed it was a fundamental part of federalism, which he described as "true federalism." In his studies of different federal systems, he noticed that only the Federation of Malaya (now part of Malaysia) had a centralised police force. Awolowo considered it a serious shame that a regional government, which had the constitutional power to maintain order, did not have the authority to manage its own police. He even warned that the existing system could lead to the central government becoming authoritarian.

Interestingly, Awolowo was also a realist.

 He pointed out possible challenges, especially those caused by manipulation by state officials and governors. To better understand this, one can refer to the book ‘The Police in Modern Nigeria, 1861-1965: Origins, Development, and Role,’ written by Prof. Tekena Tamuno and published by Ibadan University Press in 1970. This book offers deep insights into the historical struggle over police control. The push for "regional police," which we now call "state police" due to the change in Nigeria’s federal structure from three regions to 36 states, started in the 1950s during the colonial period. As Nigeria moved towards limited self-governance and eventually independence, the structure and control of the police force became a major topic of debate. The Western region, which now includes parts of the south-west, Edo, and Delta states, was the main voice in this discussion.

As noted by Tamuno, a historian and former vice-chancellor of the University of Ibadan, who passed away in 2015, S. Akinola, who represented Ijesha in the Federal House of Representatives, made some bold proposals during a debate in 1955.

 One proposal was for police deployment to be based on ethnic and linguistic lines, meaning Yorubas would dominate the west, Igbos the east, and Hausa/Fulani the north. His second proposal was even more radical: he suggested that police should be placed under a "Regional Authority" instead of being controlled from "Lagos," referring to the inspector-general of police.

Efficiency Debate: A Logistical Problem or a Fixable Issue?

There are several arguments in favour of having state police.

 The strongest one is the need for efficiency. The argument is that a police force spread across 774 local government areas and controlled from Abuja presents a complex logistical challenge. While this may be somewhat exaggerated, there are no reports of police taking orders from Abuja to respond to a robbery in Egbeda; it is true that rapid response is not a strong feature of the current system. However, we must ask important questions: Is it the centralisation itself that causes inefficiency? Or is it poor funding, deep-rooted corruption, or a lack of community-oriented policing where officers truly know the people they protect? These are key concerns.

The Risk of Political Manipulation 

Another point against state police is the potential for political misuse of the federal police by the government.

One of the resolutions from the constitutional conference in London in 1953 stated that "arrangements should be made to avoid the danger of the police coming under the control of a political party." However, this has proved difficult to implement, both at the federal and state levels. In 1955, members representing Asaba, Warri, and Benin in the Western House of Assembly complained about local police acting in areas not controlled by the dominant Action Group (AG). This raises concerns that decentralising policing might only shift, rather than eliminate, the abuse of police power.

A Change in Outlook: Observing the Experiment

I must admit that I used to be completely against the idea of state police.

 My concerns about the potential for abuse by governors have not changed. However, I have now decided to observe the experiment. While I don’t expect a dramatic transformation, I am willing to see what happens. The issue lies in how we identify and solve problems in Nigeria. We often focus on one cause among many and propose a single solution. Unfortunately, when a problem is misdiagnosed, simply increasing the "dose" of the solution won’t help. In Nigeria, we are more focused on treating minor issues than dealing with major ones. It is what it is.

Modern Voices and Current Challenges

How many more prominent figures need to make the case?

 Former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, raised concerns about the high rate of violent crimes in the country and supported the creation of state police as a complement to the federal police. He also stated that the concept of Federal Character, as defined in the constitution, was outdated, as the original reasons for its introduction no longer apply.

Looking at the data, the need for change is clear.

 Nigeria has faced multiple security challenges in the last decade, including insurgency in the Northeast, armed banditry in the Northwest, and separatist violence in the South-East. Between July 2024 and June 2025, 4,722 abductions were reported nationwide, with ransom payments exceeding ₦2.57 billion. A major reason for this failure is a huge intelligence gap. A single federal institution is expected to police a vast area of 923,768 square kilometres, often assigning officers who are unfamiliar with the language, culture, and terrain of the communities they are protecting. The Nigeria Police Force currently has about 370,000 personnel, but it needs over 310,000 more to meet global standards of 311 officers per 100,000 citizens.

Legislative Progress: Where the Bill Is Now

Despite ongoing philosophical and political debates, the process of reform is finally moving forward.

 As of mid-2026, the following developments are taking place:

Legislative Movement: The bill has passed its second and third readings in the House of Representatives with strong support and is currently under review in the Senate, having just passed the second reading.

Operational Plan: Under the proposed framework, which has been strengthened by a detailed 75-page plan from the Inspector-General of Police, state police forces will operate within their own jurisdictions.

 Federal police will remain responsible for national security, terrorism, border security, and crimes that cross state lines.

Funding Challenges: One major obstacle is the cost.

 Establishing a state police force in Oyo State alone could require over ₦16 billion annually, raising serious concerns about how less wealthy states will afford these institutions.

Supervision and Responsibility: To avoid the political manipulation that Awolowo and others warned about, the proposed legislation includes the creation of State Police Service Commissions.

 These will be under federal oversight through the Federal Police Service Commission to ensure appointments, discipline, and the maintenance of consistent national standards.

Next Steps: For the bill to become law, it still needs full approval from the Senate and the agreement of at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly before receiving presidential assent.

We are standing at the edge of a major change.

Whether decentralised policing will be the solution to Nigeria’s security problems or just another way for local authorities to act tyrannically remains to be seen. But the current system has failed the vulnerable citizens in both the forests and the cities. It is time to try a new approach.