Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, has reiterated calls for a national security overhaul, stressing that Nigeria’s centralised policing system has become overstretched and ineffective in tackling the country’s worsening insecurity.
Ogundoyin made the call on Monday at a Legislative Dialogue on Nigeria’s Security Architecture, themed: “Nigeria’s Peace and Security: The Constitutional Imperatives,” held in Abuja.
In his address, the Oyo Assembly Speaker lamented the wide-ranging insecurity across the country—from insurgency in the North-East, banditry and kidnappings in the North-West and North-Central, to herder-farmer clashes in the South, which he warned posed a serious threat to food security and national cohesion.
“As presiding officers of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, we are firsthand witnesses to the alarming toll that insecurity continues to exact on lives, livelihoods, and governance.
“This dialogue is therefore an opportunity to align our legislative priorities with the realities faced by our people, ensuring that the Constitution and legal frameworks governing security evolve to meet present and future challenges.
“The Conference of Speakers stands fully committed to supporting this vision. We are ready to play our part in ushering in a new era of constitutional clarity and national security reforms. We owe this to our people. We owe it to Nigeria, and we owe it to the next generation”, he added.
While acknowledging the sacrifices and efforts of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, Ogundoyin maintained that the centralised policing arrangement was no longer suitable for Nigeria’s growing and complex security demands.
“It is now evident that the centralised policing structure, no matter how well-intentioned, has become overstretched,” he declared.
He called for the adoption of State Police as a constitutional imperative, describing the proposal as more than a political move but a “patriotic and strategic necessity.”
The Conference chairman acknowledged the reservations some stakeholders have regarding state police—including fears of political abuse, jurisdictional overlaps, and capacity issues—but assured all that such concerns can be addressed with the right institutional safeguards.
“These challenges can be addressed through legislative clarity, independent oversight mechanisms, and well-defined frameworks for inter-agency collaboration,” he added.
Beyond advocating for state police, Ogundoyin also stressed the need for improved intelligence gathering and sharing, robust inter-agency coordination, better funding and welfare for security operatives, and stronger legal frameworks to combat emerging threats such as cybercrime and transnational terrorism.
According to him, Nigeria must prioritise comprehensive reforms of its security framework through bold and timely legislative action.
“Security reform is no longer optional; it is a constitutional necessity.
“We must reshape Nigeria’s security framework for the benefit of current and future generations,” he said.
