In a valorous and tectonic move, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reasserted his oath of fidelity towards establishing state police throughout the whole of Nigeria – an amelioration long boosted by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, whose strategic acumen foresaw the need for decentralised security policy framework in Nigeria’s diverse and pluralistic society.
In his enduring treatise: The Strategy and Tactics of the People’s Republic of Nigeria, published over half a century ago, Awolowo writes with striking clarity: “Under my proposals, Police is a residual subject, because the immediate problem of maintaining law and order can only be properly and more effectively tackled by the State government.” His words remain uncannily prescient, echoing today’s calls for a more responsive, decentralised approach to public safety.
Awolowo’s clairvoyant prevision was echoed by President Tinubu recently while addressing the issue of police residuality during a courtesy visit by prominent Katsina indigenes led by Governor Dikko Radda at the Presidential Villa. Tinubu lamented the decades of delay that, had the proposal been adopted, might have spared countless lives lost to insecurity.
He was right. With Katsina State grappling with escalating banditry; Zamfara and Sokoto plagued by mass abductions; Kaduna enduring persistent attacks on highways and villages; Borno and Yobe besieged by Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgency; Niger State facing incursions from armed groups linked to IS-Sahel; Plateau State reeling from deadly farmer-herder clashes in Bokkos and Bassa LGAs; Benue and Nasarawa locked in cycles of communal violence and land disputes.
Also, Rivers State is contending with pipeline explosions and rising militia activity; Edo State confronting the tragic consequences of vigilante justice, including the mistaken killing of 16 hunters; Delta and Bayelsa suffering persistent oil-related sabotage; and Abuja shaken by high-profile kidnappings – the scale and complexity of Nigeria’s security challenges demand more than reactive measures.
The president’s directive to reassess security operations and deploy advanced surveillance technologies, including drones, underscores a strategic pivot towards localised, intelligence-driven enforcement, accountability, and a more responsive approach to safeguarding lives, properties, and communities. This is not merely a policy announcement – it is a legacy kairotic moment – one that must translate coordination into confidence, data into dignity, resolve into results, surveillance into stewardship, technology into trust, and vigilance into value.
That President Tinubu’s legacy moment is now evoking Chief Awolowo’s enduring vision for localised security architecture is both monumental and corroborative. Awolowo, revered for his intellectual rigor and unwavering federalist ideals, consistently maintained that genuine security and sustainable development could only flourish when states were empowered to govern their own affairs – including policing.
His advocacy for state police was rooted in the conviction that local communities possess a deeper understanding of their terrain, their people, and their distinct challenges than distant federal agencies ever could. In light of current reforms, one must ask: how fully vindicated has Awolowo become?
For decades, Awo’s idea was resisted, often out of fear of political misuse. But the realities of today – porous borders, rural banditry, and overstretched federal forces – have made the case for state police not just compelling, but urgent .
In a moment of strategic clarity, President Tinubu unveiled a multi-pronged security strategy that is both pragmatic and courageous. By bolstering the capacity of forest guards, deploying surveillance drones, and mandating daily operational updates, he is signalling a hands-on leadership style that privileges outcomes over optics. His declaration – “We must protect our children, our people, our livelihood, our places of worship, and our recreational spaces” – resonates powerfully with communities long left vulnerable in the face of persistent insecurity. This is not just policy; it is a call to restore public trust through visible, accountable action geared towards decentralisation and constitutional autonomy, like we have in civilised democracies, especially in the realm of law enforcement.
For example, in the USA with 50 states, each enjoys constitutionally protected powers. States operate their own police forces alongside municipal departments, enabling tailored enforcement that reflects local priorities. Brazil, which comprises 26 states and a federal district, maintains robust state autonomy. Civil police handle investigations, while military police ensure public order – both under state control.
In India, with 28 states and 8 union territories, law and order is a state subject. State police manage most enforcement duties, while central forces offer support only when needed. In Canada’s 10 provinces and 3 territories, policing is shared. Provinces like Ontario and Quebec operate their own police services, while others contract with the federal Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Argentina, with 23 provinces and a federal district, practices decentralised policing. Provincial forces handle routine enforcement, while federal police focus on national and cross-jurisdictional matters.
These models demonstrate that empowered local policing – anchored in constitutional autonomy – can coexist with national cohesion. Tinubu’s move toward such a structure is not merely administrative; it is a strategic evolution toward a more just, responsive, and resilient federation.
This comparative lens underscores the benefits of empowering subnational units: improved responsiveness, enhanced accountability, and governance that resonates with local realities. Nigeria’s embrace of this model will not just be a policy shift – it will be a strategic leap towards a more inclusive and resilient federation.
The benefits of state-level policing within Nigeria’s federal framework – should President Tinubu fulfil his commitment – are both compelling and multifaceted.
First, local responsiveness will enable state police to tailor enforcement strategies to regional cultures, crime patterns, and community needs. This, inevitably, will allow for quicker adaptation to local crises or unrest. Second, state policing will promote administrative efficiency by reducing the burden on the central government and enabling states to manage recruitment, training, and budgets independently.
Third, democratic accountability will be strengthened, allowing citizens to influence policing policy through state elections and advocacy, thereby enhancing transparency and trust in law enforcement. Fourth, policy innovation will be significantly enhanced through constitutional provisions that permit states to pilot reforms without waiting for national consensus, with successful models potentially scaled across the federation. Fifth, state policing will foster jurisdictional clarity. For instance, there will be a clear division between federal and state crimes (e.g. immigration versus burglary), and duplication or turf conflicts can be avoided through effective coordination.
Finally, I see President Tinubu’s move as a tribute to Awolowo’s legacy and a testament to his own political courage. It is a step towards a more secure, responsive, and resilient Nigeria.
Dr Babatunde lectures at London South Bank University, London, UK
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