The secretariat of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has given details about the framework for state police being considered by the governors.

In a communique issued after their meeting on April 22 in Abuja, the governors spoke about a state police framework developed by the forum’s secretariat in anticipation of proposed constitutional amendments.

The framework, The Nation learnt, “outlines key readiness requirements, including governance structures, financing models, human capital standards, digital systems, and oversight mechanisms”.

It was learnt that members of the NGF are currently considering multiple models of funding the planned state police structure.

The models being considered include structured budgetary allocations through state appropriation laws, potential support mechanisms within the broader intergovernmental fiscal framework, and other sustainable financing options.

The objective, it was learnt, is to ensure that any form of state police system that is eventually adopted is adequately funded, operates transparently and is fiscally responsible, without undermining existing public finance management systems.

Explaining the form of governance structure being proposed for the state police, NGF said ongoing engagements are exploring options that balance state-level operational control with clearly defined institutional safeguards, including transparent appointment processes, professional standards, and independent oversight mechanisms to ensure accountability and prevent abuse.

The Nation also learnt that issues relating to oversight were being approached with due sensitivity, given their constitutional, fiscal, and national security implications.

It was also learnt that no specific constitutional amendments have been recommended, but that efforts were ongoing to build consensus, at the subnational and stakeholder levels; refine options, and ensure that all perspectives are carefully integrated into a coherent and implementable framework.

It was learnt that no timeframe has been set by the governors for the take-off of the state police system across the country.

NGF’s Director of Media and Strategic Communications, Yunusa Abdullahi, confirmed the developments, but said things were still at the planning stage.

Throwing more light on whether or not the NGF’s framework provides a time frame for take-off, Abdullahi said: “So far, all the NGF secretariat is doing is to continue to engage stakeholders and will communicate formally once a more consolidated position is reached.”

The NGF spokesman stated that discussions around the framework for state police developed by the NGF secretariat were still ongoing and remained part of a broader consultative engagement process, involving federal and state actors, as well as key security stakeholders.

Abdullahi added: “At this stage, elements, such as governance arrangements, including appointment, oversight, and disciplinary procedures, as well as funding structures, are not yet finalised positions.

“Rather, they form part of the critical issues currently being examined to ensure that any eventual framework is constitutionally sound, operationally effective, and aligned with Nigeria’s federal structure.” (The Nation)

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