The speakers of Nigeria’s 36 state houses of assembly have endorsed the national assembly's efforts to establish state police. This decision was outlined in a communiqué released after the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures met in Abuja on Thursday. The communiqué was signed by Adebo Ogundoyin, Speaker of the Oyo House of Assembly and Chairman of the Conference.
The speakers believe that state policing would address the growing insecurity in the country. "To achieve this, the Conference appeals to the National Assembly, Presidency, and other relevant stakeholders to leverage the ongoing constitution review exercise," the communiqué stated.
Both chambers of the national assembly are currently working to amend the 1999 Constitution to include provisions for state police.
Despite this support, last month, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun expressed concerns that Nigeria is not yet “mature” for state police.
On February 15, the federal government established a committee to explore the creation of state police. Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, announced that President Bola Tinubu and state governors had agreed on the framework for the concept.