Governors’ forum endorse state police, seek constitutional protection

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The 36 state governors under the umbrella of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have renewed their support for the establishment of state police across the country, saying the proposed security structure must be constitutionally sound and consistent with federalism and the protection of citizens’ rights.

The governors reached the position after their second meeting held in Abuja, which began on Wednesday and continued into the early hours of Thursday.

In a communiqué signed by the NGF Chairman and Governor of AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the forum said members received a presentation from the NGF secretariat and a delegation of state attorneys-general on ongoing efforts to advance the creation of state police in Nigeria.

According to the communiqué, the governors reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing a framework that would support state policing while ensuring it aligns with constitutional provisions, democratic principles and the rights of citizens.

AbdulRazaq disclosed that they received briefings on a range of federal and development partner proposals and resolved to deepen consultations and coordination between states and national institutions to secure better outcomes for citizens.

According to the governors, they noted a dedicated consultation with the attorneys-general to review the proposed constitutional amendments and frameworks.

The governors had in April this year backed what they described as the proactive development of a state police framework by the secretariat, the umbrella body of the forum, in preparation for the proposed constitutional amendments.

The framework brings out key readiness requirements, including governance structures, financing models, human capital standards, digital systems and oversight mechanisms.

In a communique read after the meeting by the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Forum noted the collaborative effort and added that the consultation outcomes would strengthen the states’ collective position.

Abiodun said, “We, members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), at our meeting held today, deliberated on issues affecting the country.

Following extensive deliberations, the Forum resolved as follows: 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. It noted a dedicated consultation with the attorneys-general to review the proposed constitutional amendments and frameworks.

“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 governors have also reiterated their commitment to ongoing power sector reforms and to strengthening collaboration among stakeholders to expand access to reliable and affordable electricity for Nigerians.

According to the communiqué, the Forum received a presentation on the National Solar Super-Grid (NSSG) Initiative, a proposal to expand electricity access through large-scale decentralised solar generation integrated with a national high-voltage transmission network.

Against this backdrop, the governors noted the initiative’s potential to support industrialisation, improve energy security, strengthen state electricity markets, and accelerate economic growth.

On Power, the communiqué read, “The Forum received a presentation on the National Solar Super-Grid (NSSG) Initiative, a proposal to expand electricity access through large-scale decentralised solar generation integrated with a national high-voltage transmission network.

“The Forum noted the initiative’s potential to support industrialisation, improve energy security, strengthen state electricity markets, and accelerate economic growth. Governors reiterated their commitment to ongoing power sector reforms and to strengthening collaboration among stakeholders to expand access to reliable and affordable electricity for Nigerians.”

The governors have also resolved to support the National Nutrition 774 (N-774) Initiative as they reaffirmed their commitment to improving nutrition outcomes and reducing child malnutrition across Nigeria, just as they also noted the ongoing work on the National Nutrition Bill and encouraged continued engagement with relevant stakeholders to strengthen the legal and policy framework for nutrition governance.

On nutrition and agriculture, the communiqué read, ‘The Forum received a presentation from the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning on progress under the National Nutrition 774 (N-774) Initiative.’ The forum reaffirmed the governors’ commitment to improving nutrition outcomes and reducing child malnutrition across Nigeria. The Forum also noted the ongoing work on the National Nutrition Bill and encouraged continued engagement with relevant stakeholders to strengthen the legal and policy framework for nutrition governance.

“The Forum received a briefing from the World Bank Country Office on the proposed Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Nigeria covering the period FY2026–2032; the proposed Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value-Chains for Growth (AGROW) Programme, a results-based initiative designed to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen value chains, increase private sector participation, enhance food security, and support early childhood development (ECD).

“The Forum supported ongoing collaboration with the federal government, the World Bank, and other stakeholders to ensure successful implementation and deliver benefits to participating states. Governors approved state-specific interventions and stressed the importance of better coordination across sectors like health, nutrition, education, water and sanitation, social protection, and family support