Nigeria’s State Police Reform: Calls Grow for Full Gubernatorial Control Over Appointments.
Dr. Ambrose Igboke Warns Federal Control Would Render Nigeria’s Security Reform Cosmetic.
ABUJA, Nigeria – The iNews Times | As Nigeria intensifies discussions on establishing State Police, a prominent public affairs analyst has insisted that the reform will fail unless state governors receive exclusive authority to appoint their Commissioners of Police.
Dr. Ambrose Igboke, Chairman of the Guild of Public Affairs Analysts, Enugu State Chapter, argued that any continued federal influence over state police leadership would undermine the core objective of decentralising security in Africa’s most populous nation.
In this report, The iNews Times examines the key developments, reactions from stakeholders, and the broader implications of this contentious proposal.
Background of the Story
Nigeria’s policing system has long been a subject of national debate. The centralised Nigeria Police Force https://www.npf.gov.ng, established under the 1999 Constitution, has faced persistent criticism for its inability to effectively tackle region-specific security challenges ranging from banditry and kidnapping in the North-West to separatist agitations and cultism in the South-East and South-South.
Successive administrations and security experts have advocated for State Police as a necessary step toward true federalism. The current push gained renewed momentum during constitutional review processes in the National Assembly, with proponents believing it would enable quicker response times and better local intelligence.
Key Developments
At a recent National Security Roundtable organised as part of the 2026 National Assembly Open Week in Abuja, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, outlined the proposed appointment framework for the State Police.
According to Abbas, a state’s Commissioner of Police would be appointed on the recommendation of the National Police Council, subject to confirmation by the State House of Assembly. Removal would require a two-thirds majority of the Assembly and must be for good cause. This arrangement seeks to balance state autonomy with federal oversight.
However, Dr. Igboke has strongly opposed this model, describing it as inadequate for genuine reform.
Reactions from Stakeholders
In a pointed interview with newsmen, Dr. Igboke warned that retaining federal control over key appointments would turn the State Police initiative into “motion without movement.”
“If they still want to maintain the present Federal Police structure where the President appoints the AIGs and Commissioners of Police, they should not waste our time,” he declared.
The analyst stressed that governors, who are directly accountable to their citizens for security outcomes, must have full responsibility for appointing Commissioners of Police. “If there is going to be State Police, then the state governors should be responsible for appointing the Commissioners of Police so they can be fully responsible for giving directives on security in their states,” he added.
Igboke further urged the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and state representatives in the National Assembly to resist any constitutional amendment that dilutes gubernatorial authority over the proposed state formations. He questioned the logic of federal involvement in appointments without corresponding funding responsibility.
Implications
The push for full state control carries significant political, economic, and social weight. Granting governors exclusive appointment powers could strengthen federalism but also raises fears of potential abuse, politicisation of police forces, and uneven security standards across states.
Economically, effective State Police could reduce the huge costs of insecurity on agriculture, commerce, and foreign investment. Socially, many communities yearn for policing systems attuned to local realities rather than distant federal directives.
As The iNews Times has consistently reported, the success or failure of this reform may determine the trajectory of Nigeria’s internal security architecture for decades.
What Happens Next
The constitutional amendment process continues in the National Assembly, with expectations of intense lobbying by state governors and various interest groups. The Nigeria Governors’ Forum is anticipated to take a formal position soon.
Observers believe the final shape of the State Police framework will emerge from negotiations between federal lawmakers and state executives in the coming months.
Conclusion
Dr. Ambrose Igboke’s intervention adds a sharp and necessary voice to the State Police conversation in Nigeria. For the reform to deliver on its promise of safer communities and accountable governance, it must move beyond cosmetic changes to grant states genuine operational and administrative independence. The iNews Times will continue to track this critical national debate as lawmakers work toward a security architecture that truly serves Nigeria’s diverse federation.
