The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has unveiled a sweeping reform proposal aimed at decentralising Nigeria’s policing system, recommending a 60-month phased transition to the establishment of state police across the federation.
The proposal, contained in a detailed 75-page framework submitted to the National Assembly, outlines a comprehensive restructuring of the country’s security architecture, including a new funding model, personnel redistribution, and strict safeguards against political interference.
The document was formally presented to the Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, as part of ongoing legislative efforts to strengthen internal security and improve policing efficiency nationwide.
At the core of the proposal is the creation of a dual policing system comprising a Federal Police Service and 37 State Police Services, including that of the Federal Capital Territory.
Under the arrangement, the federal police would focus on national security concerns such as terrorism, interstate crimes and protection of critical national assets, while state police formations would handle localised crimes, including armed robbery, homicide and community-level intelligence gathering.
A key component of the reform is a proposed redistribution of personnel, with approximately 60 per cent of current officers transitioning to state police services while 40 per cent would remain under federal command.
The framework introduces a Voluntary Transfer Programme designed to ensure a seamless transition, offering incentives such as salary grants, retraining opportunities, and guaranteed pension continuity.
Police authorities say the approach is intended to preserve institutional memory while avoiding mass job losses.
To ensure sustainability and operational independence, the IGP proposed the establishment of a constitutionally backed State Police Fund.
The fund would draw three per cent from the Federation Account, complemented by a mandatory minimum of 15 per cent contribution from each state’s security budget.
The funding structure, described by insiders as a deliberate anti-corruption mechanism, is aimed at eliminating financial opacity and shielding state police commands from undue political influence.
Addressing widespread concerns over potential misuse of state police by political actors, the framework outlines multiple layers of oversight and accountability. These include the creation of independent State Police Service Commissions responsible for recruitment, promotions and discipline as well as the introduction of criminal sanctions for unlawful or politically motivated directives.
The proposal also recommends fast-track jurisdiction for the Federal High Court in handling cases of abuse, alongside the establishment of State Police Ombudsmen to handle complaints from the public.
In a move to enhance transparency, the framework mandates the use of body-worn cameras by officers and introduces public performance dashboards to monitor use-of-force incidents and community satisfaction levels.
Community policing is positioned as the operational backbone of the new system, with each state command required to establish structured engagement platforms involving traditional rulers, youth groups, women’s organisations, and religious leaders.
At the federal level, the proposal calls for the creation of a National Police Standards Board, a 13-member independent body tasked with enforcing uniform standards across all police formations.
The board would publish annual compliance ratings for each state and impose sanctions, including funding restrictions, on non-compliant jurisdictions, thereby ensuring professionalism and consistency nationwide.
Central to the reform is the amendment of key provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, particularly Section 214, to allow the coexistence of federal and state police systems. The proposal also seeks to move policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List.
A new constitutional provision is being proposed to formally establish the National Police Standards Board.
The implementation is structured into phases, beginning with constitutional amendments in the first year, followed by the gradual establishment of state commands and transfer of personnel.
Full operational consolidation is projected between the fourth and fifth years, with a final independent evaluation and legislative review.
The submission has intensified national discourse around state policing, with proponents arguing that decentralisation would improve responsiveness, intelligence gathering and community trust.
However, critics remain cautious, citing fears of political interference. Nonetheless, police authorities insist that the robust safeguards embedded in the framework adequately address such concerns, describing the proposal as a product of extensive consultations and alignment with global best practices.
If adopted, the reform would mark one of the most significant overhauls of Nigeria’s policing system since the country’s return to democratic rule.
