Nigeria ready for state police, says minister

MaTaZ ArIsInG
Dallas, Texas

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the creation of state police, declaring that Nigeria is ready for decentralised policing once the necessary legal framework is in place.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said President Bola Tinubu is determined to ensure the reform becomes a reality as soon as enabling legislation is enacted.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Centre for Crisis Communication, led by its Chairman, Major General Chris Olukolade (retd.), at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, Idris said decentralised policing is crucial to addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

“It is the desire of President Bola Tinubu to ensure that we have state police as soon as it is practicable in this country. The time has indeed come for that,” he said, adding that the president has already appealed to the National Assembly to enact the necessary legislation to pave the way.

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The minister highlighted the importance of strengthening national communication systems alongside security reforms, particularly in a digital era where information spreads rapidly and shapes public perception during crises.

“In today’s digital age, crises are no longer only defined by events, but also by how information spreads as fast as it does. Digital innovation is therefore central to timely, accurate, and coordinated communication, especially during moments of national importance,” Idris said.

He welcomed proposals by the Centre, including the establishment of a National Crisis Communication Hub and a Crisis Communication Performance Index, describing them as initiatives that align with the ministry’s mandate.

He assured all that the ministry would study the recommendations of the November 2025 National Symposium on Digital Innovation and Crisis Communication to see how they could complement ongoing federal reforms.

Idris also stressed the responsible use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and social media, noting that while these tools are indispensable, they must be deployed responsibly, balancing freedom of expression with national interest and public trust.

The minister commended the Centre for fostering inter-agency collaboration, research, training, and media monitoring, including its monthly Strategic Communication Inter-Agency Policy Committee meetings conducted with the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Earlier, Olukolade thanked Idris for supporting crisis communication reforms, saying, “Your gesture added so much weight and the necessary authority and integrity to a gathering that brought together spokespersons, technology experts, security personnel, scholars, and media professionals from across the country.”

He described the November 2025 symposium as producing actionable recommendations to modernise Nigeria’s crisis communication system through stronger infrastructure, enhanced capacity, and inclusive governance.

Olukolade also appealed for the minister’s endorsement of the proposed National Crisis Communication Hub and the performance index framework, which he said would enable real-time monitoring, coordinated responses to misinformation, and strengthened institutional accountability.

Those in attendance included the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Ogbodo Nnam; Director of Public Relations and Protocol, Suleiman Haruna; Special Assistant (Administration) to the Minister, Dr. Sunday Baba; Rear Admiral Aminu Almu; Commodore Kabir Aliyu; and the Executive Secretary of the Centre for Crisis Communication, Alhaji Yushua’u Shuaib.

The PUNCH had reported that President Tinubu on Monday reiterated his firm commitment to establishing state police to curb rising security threats in the country. On Wednesday, he urged the leadership of the 10th Senate to pursue constitutional amendments to provide a legal framework for state police.

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