Presidency says constitutional amendment is imminent as consultations on state policing gain momentum.
The Presidency has announced significant progress toward the establishment of state police, revealing that a constitutional amendment to create the framework is nearing completion.
Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed this after a high-level consultative meeting on state police held at the State House in Abuja.
According to Gbajabiamila, discussions on the initiative began several months ago following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and have now advanced to the stage of drafting the necessary constitutional amendments.
“Establishing state police is not something that you do with the snap of the fingers. There is a lot involved in terms of constitution and legalities. Thank God we have now gained a lot of traction,” he said.
He explained that once the constitutional amendment is completed, the enabling legislation required for the operation of state police will follow.
Gbajabiamila noted that there is growing national consensus on the need for state police, adding that discussions are now focused on developing the appropriate legal and institutional framework rather than debating its necessity.
The meeting forms part of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture through a decentralised policing system aimed at improving intelligence gathering and enhancing security at the grassroots level.
Among those present at the meeting were Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu, alongside other senior government officials.