Amah Alphonsus Amaonye Statehouse Desk, Abuja
Abuja- President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to power decentralisation, assuring the United States and European allies that his administration will drive reforms that will strengthen states and local governments as engines of security, development and democratic accountability.
Speaking on Nigeria’s reform trajectory, Tinubu stressed that states and local governments must be more independent than they currently are, arguing that over-centralisation has constrained responsiveness, slowed development and weakened grassroots security architecture. He underscored that true federalism—with clearer fiscal, administrative and security responsibilities devolved to subnational governments—is essential to delivering results where citizens feel them most.
State Police: Constitutional Pathway
The President acknowledged that establishing state police—widely debated as a solution to Nigeria’s complex security challenges—requires constitutional amendment. He urged stakeholders to engage constructively with the National Assembly to advance amendments that would allow willing states to create and manage police services, while ensuring safeguards for professionalism, accountability and coordination with federal agencies.
According to Tinubu, decentralised policing would:
- Improve local intelligence gathering and rapid response.
- Reduce pressure on overstretched federal security forces.
- Enable tailored security solutions reflecting each state’s peculiar threats.
LGA Autonomy and Development
Tinubu also highlighted local government autonomy as a cornerstone of inclusive growth, noting that empowered LGAs can better deliver basic services—primary healthcare, basic education, rural roads and sanitation—while stimulating community-led development. He maintained that when councils control resources transparently, development becomes bottom-up, not Abuja-driven.
International Confidence, Domestic Reform
The assurances to international partners signal Nigeria’s intent to align governance reforms with global democratic norms—strengthening institutions, decentralising power, and improving security outcomes. Tinubu framed the agenda as both a governance reform and an investment enabler, arguing that predictable, empowered subnational governments attract capital and create jobs.
What Comes Next
- Legislative action on constitutional amendments for state police and clearer fiscal federalism.
- Stakeholder consensus-building with governors, lawmakers, security chiefs and civil society.
- Guardrails to prevent abuse—independent oversight, funding clarity and inter-agency coordination.
As Nigeria grapples with insecurity and uneven development, Tinubu’s push for devolution, state policing and LGA autonomy positions the reform debate at the heart of national renewal—promising safer communities and growth driven from the grassroots up.
