The 36 state governors under the umbrella of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have renewed their call for the establishment of state police, stressing that any security structure must be backed by the Constitution and designed to protect citizens’ rights while strengthening Nigeria’s federal system.
The governors made their position known after the Forum’s second meeting of the year, held in Abuja from Wednesday into the early hours of Thursday.
In a communiqué signed by NGF Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the governors said they reviewed ongoing efforts aimed at creating a state policing framework that would address the country’s growing security challenges.
According to the communiqué, the governors received presentations from the NGF Secretariat and a delegation of state Attorneys-General on proposals and constitutional amendments required for the establishment of state police.
The Forum noted that extensive consultations had already been held with legal experts and state attorneys-general to examine the constitutional, legal and operational framework for the proposed security arrangement.
The governors emphasised that any state police system must be carefully structured to ensure accountability, respect for fundamental rights and consistency with the principles of federalism.
“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.
“Governors emphasised the need for the State Police to be constitutionally sound and aligned with federalism and citizens’ rights,” the communiqué stated.
The NGF recalled that it had previously endorsed the development of a comprehensive state police framework to prepare for possible constitutional amendments.
The proposed framework outlines key requirements for implementation, including governance structures, funding mechanisms, personnel standards, digital infrastructure, and oversight systems.
Governors said the ongoing consultations would help strengthen the states’ collective position as discussions on constitutional reforms continue.
Beyond security matters, the governors also reiterated their support for ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s electricity sector.
The Forum received a presentation on the proposed National Solar Super-Grid (NSSG) Initiative, a project designed to expand electricity access through large-scale decentralised solar power generation connected to a national transmission network.
According to the governors, the initiative has the potential to boost industrialisation, improve energy security, strengthen state electricity markets, and drive economic growth across the country.
They pledged continued collaboration with stakeholders to improve access to affordable and reliable electricity for Nigerians.
The governors also reaffirmed their commitment to addressing malnutrition and improving food security through the National Nutrition 774 (N-774) Initiative.
The Forum received updates from the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning on efforts to reduce child malnutrition and improve nutrition outcomes nationwide.
Governors welcomed ongoing work on the proposed National Nutrition Bill and encouraged continued engagement with stakeholders to strengthen the legal framework for nutrition governance.
The Forum further received a briefing from the World Bank on its proposed Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Nigeria covering the 2026–2032 period.
Discussions also focused on the Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value-Chains for Growth (AGROW) Programme, a results-based initiative aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, strengthening value chains, encouraging private sector investment, and improving food security.
The governors expressed support for continued collaboration between state governments, the Federal Government, the World Bank, and development partners to ensure the successful implementation of the programme.
They also approved state-specific interventions and stressed the importance of stronger coordination across sectors such as health, education, nutrition, water and sanitation, social protection, and family welfare.
The resolutions reached at the meeting reflect the governors’ efforts to tackle some of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges, including insecurity, inadequate power supply, malnutrition, and agricultural productivity.
With growing calls for decentralised policing and improved governance structures, the NGF’s renewed endorsement of state police is expected to play a significant role in future constitutional reform discussions.