The Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria Programme (SPRiNG) has convened a high-level workshop and policy dialogue to examine the prospects and challenges of state policing in Nigeria.
The event, held on Monday, brought together senior security officials, policymakers, development partners, and experts to promote evidence-based discussions on policing reform.
According to a statement, the workshop focused on the opportunities, risks, and institutional requirements associated with state policing amid Nigeria’s evolving security challenges. Key participants included DIG Mohammed Usman Gumel representing the Inspector General of Police, ACP Ogbonnaya Nwota of the National Institute of Police Studies, DCC Onyeogu Benedicta of the NSCDC, Pirmah Rimdans from the British High Commission, and Chris Ngwodo, Director-General of the Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE).
Professor Etannibi Alemika, author of the policy paper “State Police in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges,” highlighted the potential benefits of state policing while raising concerns over constitutional safeguards, accountability, funding, inter-agency coordination, and political interference.
Dr. Ukoha Ukiwo, Team Leader of SPRiNG, stressed that discussions on state policing must move beyond political rhetoric and focus on accountability, human rights protection, and institutional capacity. “Through this policy paper, SPRiNG is supporting a more informed, evidence-driven national dialogue that prioritises citizen safety, trust, and sustainable peace,” he said.
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Speakers noted that decentralised policing could enhance community trust and local responsiveness, but its success would require strong legal frameworks, oversight, and effective coordination between federal and state governments and security agencies.
The workshop concluded with an interactive plenary session where participants shared insights and recommendations on community relations, state capacity, and lessons from other policing systems.
SPRiNG reaffirmed its commitment to evidence-based policymaking, inclusive engagement, and collaborative approaches to security sector reform in Nigeria. The programme, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by Tetra Tech International Development with partners Nextier SPD, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), runs from 2024 to 2028. Its goal is to strengthen institutional capacity for conflict management, boost public confidence in key institutions, and promote peace and resilience across the country.