Governors of Nigeria’s 36 states have declared their support for the establishment of state police as part of efforts to strengthen security across the country.
The governors, under the umbrella of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), made their position known in a communiqué signed by the forum’s chairman and Governor of AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The decision was reached during the NGF meeting held in Abuja, which lasted from Wednesday into the early hours of Thursday.
According to the communiqué, the governors stressed that the creation of state police must be backed by the Constitution and implemented in a manner that aligns with the principles of federalism and the protection of citizens’ rights.
The governors said they adopted the position after receiving presentations from the NGF secretariat and a delegation of state Attorneys-General on ongoing efforts to establish state police in Nigeria.
They noted that extensive consultations had been held with the Attorneys-General to review proposed constitutional amendments and operational frameworks for the initiative.
The communiqué stated: “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 endorsement comes as legislative efforts to create state police continue at the National Assembly. The relevant bill has already been passed by the House of Representatives and has also scaled second reading in the Senate.
The governors also reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing reforms in the power sector and pledged to deepen collaboration with stakeholders to improve access to reliable and affordable electricity across the country.
During the meeting, the forum received a presentation on the National Solar Super-Grid (NSSG) Initiative, a proposal aimed at expanding electricity access through large-scale decentralised solar power generation linked to a national high-voltage transmission network.
The governors said the initiative has the potential to boost industrialisation, improve energy security, strengthen state electricity markets and drive economic growth.
In addition, the forum pledged support for the National Nutrition 774 (N-774) Initiative, reaffirming its commitment to improving nutrition outcomes and reducing child malnutrition nationwide.
The governors also acknowledged ongoing work on the National Nutrition Bill and encouraged continued engagement with relevant stakeholders to strengthen the legal and policy framework for nutrition governance in the country.
