By Ogochukwu Isioma
Abuja will host a high-level gathering of political leaders, state governors, legislative leaders, security chiefs, policymakers and other key stakeholders for the public presentation of The Imperative of State Police in Nigeria, a new book by Mr. Magnus Onyibe, a versatile media columnist, thought leader, and long-time advocate of decentralised policing in Nigeria.
The event, which will take place on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at the Abuja Continental Hotel, by 12 noon comes at a critical moment in Nigeria’s efforts to address persistent security challenges, including banditry, insurgency, kidnapping and separatist agitations.
The public presentation of the book will provide a unique platform for national and sub-national leaders, security professionals, civil society organisations and other key stakeholders to engage experts and policymakers on the constitutional, institutional, financial and operational implications of the ongoing reform of Nigeria’s policing architecture.
The dignitaries invited to the event include His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who will be the Special Guest of Honor.
The other guests of honor are: Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives; and Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Also participating in the event are the Inspector-General of Police,Tunji Disu; Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser; His Excellency, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Governor of Kwara State and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum; and Rt. Hon. Timi Guwor, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria.
The presence of these high-ranking political, legislative and security leaders underscores the national importance of the ongoing national dialogue on polic reforms and the growing recognition that the question of policing has become central to Nigeria’s internal security and constitutional reform agenda.
As may be recalled, following the prompting of President Bola Tinubu earlier this year, both chambers of the National Assembly — the Senate and the House of Representatives —by July 2023 had completed the process of passage of the proposed constitutional amendments aimed at decentralising Nigeria’s policing system.
As required by law, the proposed constitutional amendments are now subject to concurrence by a two-thirds majority of the State Houses of Assembly across the 36 states of the federation.
It is against this backdrop that the participation of Governors and Speakers of the Houses of Assembly, alongside national political and security leaders, is critical as they expected to make major input into the new policing bill since they are operating at the subnational and grass roots levels.
The theme of the event is: “Explaining the Grey Areas of State Policing: The Case, The Strategy, The Operations, and The Framework.” A panel of experts will be throwing light on the issues identified above.
The book, “The Imperative of State Police in Nigeria”, provides a comprehensive policy justification for the decentralisation of policing in Nigeria. It argues that 2026 presents a critical window of opportunity for legislative and executive action towards establishing State Police as a sustainable response to the country’s growing internal security challenges.
The high-level panel discussion by voices of authority with direct knowledge and experience relevant to national security, strategy, policing, public policy and the proposed decentralisation of Nigeria’s policing architecture will enrich the content of the bill which has reached advanced stage of completion.
The panel will comprise:
1. Gen. Lucky Irabor (Rtd.) — Former Chief of Defense Staff and former Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF)
2. Prof. Anthony Kila — Professor of Strategy and author of the Foreword to the book
3. Mr. Magnus Onyibe — Author, “The Imperative of State Police in Nigeria”
4. Mr. Dubem Moghalu — Special Assistant to the President on Research/Planning and Secretary to the Presidential Working Group on State Police.
The panel brings together perspectives from military and security leadership, strategy and public policy, authorship and advocacy, as well as direct involvement in the ongoing development of the State Police framework.
The discussion is intended to address critical questions surrounding constitutionality, funding, accountability, operational control, oversight mechanisms and implementation; issues that are currently before the National Assembly, and the State Houses of Assembly.
The deliberations are expected to contribute to the ongoing policy and legislative conversation on the design of an effective State and Local Policing framework capable of responding to Nigeria’s complex internal security challenges.
Broad Institutional Participation
Beyond political and security institutions, the event is also expected to attract representatives of key security, safety, and socio-economic intervention agencies and organisations.
Among those expected to be in attendance are representatives of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and Tantita Security Services Limited, alongside other government agencies, private-sector organisations and institutions involved in security, safety, development and socio-economic interventions across Nigeria.
Members of the diplomatic corps and civil society organisations are also expected to attend, deliver goodwill messages, and share perspectives and experiences from their respective countries and organisations on combating insecurity and strengthening community and national security systems.
The event is therefore expected to provide an important opportunity for national and sub-national leaders, security professionals, policymakers, development actors, civil society and other stakeholders to interrogate the practical realities of State Police and contribute to shaping a policing framework capable of making Nigerians safer.
“The Imperative of State Police in Nigeria” is published by Inspire Media Services Limited.
