The Open Alliance, a coalition of civil society organisations, has called for stronger accountability mechanisms, transparency measures, human rights protections, and citizen participation as discussions on the proposed creation of state police gain momentum across Nigeria.
The coalition made the call following a stakeholder dialogue on “Devolution of Policing in Nigeria: Pathways to Effective and Accountable State Policing,” held in Abuja on May 13, 2026.
The forum brought together civil society groups, governance institutions, development partners, legal practitioners, security experts, media professionals, and policy actors to examine both the opportunities and risks associated with decentralising policing powers.
Participants noted that while state policing has emerged as a major proposal in ongoing security sector reform conversations, critical concerns surrounding governance, accountability, funding, and institutional capacity remain unresolved.
According to the coalition, the effectiveness of any policing model depends not only on its structure but also on the strength of institutions responsible for oversight, accountability, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
Stakeholders argued that state police should not be viewed as a standalone solution to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity but as part of broader reforms aimed at improving public trust, strengthening service delivery, and enhancing the legitimacy of law enforcement institutions.
The dialogue also examined the financial implications of state policing, highlighting significant disparities in the fiscal and institutional capacities of states across the federation.
Participants expressed concerns about the ability of some states to sustainably fund police operations, maintain professional standards, and guarantee operational independence from political influence.
Alternative models of decentralised policing were also explored, including phased implementation strategies, regional security collaborations, and hybrid frameworks that could enable states to share resources and coordinate security responses while maintaining accountability standards.
The coalition stressed the importance of preserving uniform national standards on professionalism, operational conduct, human rights compliance, and constitutional safeguards irrespective of the policing structure eventually adopted.
Stakeholders further underscored the need for extensive public consultation and citizen engagement to ensure that any policing reforms reflect the realities, expectations, and security needs of communities across the country.
As constitutional amendment discussions continue, Open Alliance urged policymakers to prioritise evidence-based decision-making and inclusive dialogue in designing a policing system that is effective, accountable, rights-based, and responsive to the needs of Nigerians.
The statement was jointly endorsed by several civil society organisations, including BudgIT Foundation, Accountability Lab, CISLAC, Dataphyte Foundation, CDD, CLEEN Foundation, Connected Development, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, Public and Private Development Centre and CHRICED, among others.
