Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has emphasized that state governments advocating for the creation of state police forces must demonstrate sufficient financial capacity and operational sustainability to manage them effectively.
Speaking on Monday in Abuja during a session focused on national security, governance, and economic resilience at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit, Gbajabiamila stated that establishing state policing involves far more than initial capital investments in operational vehicles and uniforms, requiring instead long-term commitments to personnel welfare and operational infrastructure.
The Chief of Staff explained that under the proposed federal police reform framework, no state will be granted statutory clearance to deploy a state police service unless it provides verifiable guarantees for regular salary payments, continuous professional training, and proper maintenance of security equipment.
He assured that the existing federal policing structure will remain fully operational and active across states that are currently unequipped or financially unprepared to establish independent security agencies, ensuring that no administrative unit faces a security vacuum during the transition period.
Addressing widespread concerns regarding potential political abuse and political victimization by state executives, Gbajabiamila disclosed that the legislative framework governing the policy will incorporate strict legal boundaries and institutional oversight mechanisms.
He noted that the national policing bill will establish transparent accountability standards to safeguard fundamental human rights and prevent local political interests from hijacking state forces.
Furthermore, he urged members of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group and private sector stakeholders to collaborate with state governments in formulating sustainable financing models to support law enforcement operations across the nation.
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