Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said states seeking to establish their own police forces must demonstrate the financial capacity to sustain their operations, warning that inadequate funding could undermine professionalism and expose officers to improper influence.

Gbajabiamila said the proposed state police system would require more than the initial purchase of patrol vehicles, uniforms and equipment, stressing that state governments must be able to pay salaries regularly, provide continuous training and cover operational expenses.

He spoke on Monday during a session on security, stability and economic resilience at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja.

According to the presidential aide, states must make credible financial provisions for the long-term running of their police services before the new arrangements begin operations.

“A state taking on policing must be able to sustain the service after the initial purchase of vehicles and uniforms,” he said.

Gbajabiamila warned that police institutions unable to meet their financial obligations could become vulnerable to private interests and unlawful demands, potentially compromising officers’ independence and the protection of citizens.

He added that federal policing would remain available in states that were not financially or institutionally ready to establish their own police services.

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The proposed reform forms part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to decentralise policing, improve local intelligence gathering and strengthen responses to insecurity across the country.

Gbajabiamila argued that military operations alone could not provide the sustained presence required to prevent crime, investigate offences and restore normal life in communities affected by violence.

He said effective local policing could help reduce response times, improve cooperation between security personnel and residents, and enable displaced communities and businesses to return to areas affected by insecurity.

However, he stressed that the Nigeria Police Force would remain essential in addressing crimes that cross state boundaries and threats requiring specialised national capabilities.

The presidential aide also acknowledged concerns that state governors could use local police formations to intimidate political opponents or target vulnerable communities.

He said the proposed framework would incorporate enforceable limits on police powers, independent oversight and mechanisms through which citizens could seek redress for abuses.

“The concern that police powers could be used against political opponents or vulnerable communities is serious. Our answer is to place enforceable limits on those powers and provide remedies when they are abused,” he said.

Gbajabiamila maintained that access to police protection must not depend on a citizen’s political affiliation, background or place of origin.

Private sector urged to support state police funding

The Chief of Staff also called on the organised private sector, including the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, chambers of commerce and business associations, to develop practical proposals for financing and implementing the proposed state police system.

He said insecurity had increased business costs through disrupted supply chains, delayed investments, abandoned projects and additional spending on private security.

According to him, businesses have a direct interest in ensuring that communities where their workers, suppliers and customers live are safe.

He urged business leaders to engage governors and lawmakers on sustainable financing arrangements, institutional management and accountable partnerships.

However, Gbajabiamila cautioned that private sector contributions must not give companies or wealthy individuals influence over police investigations or access to preferential treatment.

He said public funding must remain dependable, while private contributions should be transparently recorded, publicly accounted for and subjected to independent scrutiny.

24 state assemblies approve constitutional amendment

Providing an update on the process, Gbajabiamila disclosed that 24 State Houses of Assembly had approved the constitutional amendment required for state police as of October 23, 2026, meeting the two-thirds threshold for state legislative approval.

He also said the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill had submitted a draft National Policing Bill and 29 consequential amendment bills to the Federal Ministry of Justice on October 19 for review.

The proposals are expected to be presented to President Tinubu before being transmitted to the National Assembly for consideration.

The legislative process remains a key step towards establishing the legal framework for decentralised policing.

If adopted, the proposed arrangement would give willing and financially capable states greater responsibility for local security while retaining a federal police institution to handle national and cross-border threats.

Gbajabiamila said the success of the reform would depend on sustainable funding, professional standards, effective oversight and safeguards against political interference.