By Lawan Musa Danlami
THE NIGERIAN National Assembly has taken a significant step toward reshaping the country’s security architecture by advancing constitutional amendments that would allow states to establish and manage their own police forces. The House of Representatives approved the proposal in early June 2026, while the Senate followed with its passage on June 24. This development has reignited a national conversation about the future of policing in Nigeria, with many arguing that decentralising law enforcement will improve security by enabling state governments to respond more effectively to local threats.
There is merit in that argument. Nigeria’s security challenges are undeniable. Terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, communal violence, cybercrime, and other forms of organised criminality continue to stretch the country’s security institutions. However, amid the growing enthusiasm for state police, a more fundamental question deserves careful consideration: should Nigeria create another police structure before reforming and strengthening the one it already has?
Political philosophy reinforces the same conclusion. Thomas Hobbes argued that the first responsibility of government is to provide security because, without security, society inevitably descends into disorder. Max Weber similarly explained that the legitimacy of the modern state rests upon its monopoly over the lawful use of force. Such authority, however, must be exercised through disciplined, professional, and accountable security institutions rather than fragmented structures vulnerable to political influence.
Experience suggests that creating new institutions does not automatically solve existing problems. In many instances, strengthening existing institutions has proved far more effective than multiplying bureaucratic structures. A useful comparison can be drawn between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and many State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs). Although INEC has faced criticism over the years, state electoral commissions have often attracted even greater accusations of political interference and lack of credibility. Likewise, many federal universities continue to enjoy stronger academic reputations, relatively better funding, and more stable administrative systems than several state-owned universities. These examples illustrate an important lesson: institutional quality matters more than institutional quantity.
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The same principle should guide Nigeria’s approach to policing. Rather than establishing another police organisation that may duplicate responsibilities, increase administrative costs, and create new layers of bureaucracy, the nation should first invest in transforming the Nigeria Police Force into a modern, professional, well-equipped, and accountable institution capable of meeting today’s increasingly sophisticated security challenges.
The men and women of the Nigeria Police Force deserve far better welfare and institutional support than they currently receive. They are expected to protect lives and property, maintain public order, investigate crimes, gather intelligence, and enforce the law under extremely demanding conditions. Yet many officers continue to perform these duties despite inadequate operational equipment, poor accommodation, limited healthcare, obsolete technology, irregular welfare packages, and difficult working conditions. It is unreasonable to expect exceptional performance from officers who themselves are struggling with basic professional and personal needs.
The history of modern policing consistently demonstrates that effectiveness depends less on organisational structure than on professionalism, public trust, adequate resources, and institutional independence. Sir Robert Peel, widely regarded as the father of modern policing, argued that the police derive their effectiveness from public approval and cooperation rather than fear or coercion. His enduring principles emphasise that public confidence is the true foundation of successful law enforcement.
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Criminologist, David H. Bayley, likewise maintains that democratic policing requires professionalism, operational independence, continuous training, and adequate institutional support. In his view, police officers cannot effectively protect society if they are denied the resources necessary to carry out their responsibilities.
Herman Goldstein, another influential policing scholar, similarly argues that accountability, proper welfare, and professional development are indispensable to reducing corruption and improving police performance. Officers who are fairly compensated and adequately trained are more likely to uphold ethical standards and earn the confidence of the communities they serve.
Political philosophy reinforces the same conclusion. Thomas Hobbes argued that the first responsibility of government is to provide security because, without security, society inevitably descends into disorder. Max Weber similarly explained that the legitimacy of the modern state rests upon its monopoly over the lawful use of force. Such authority, however, must be exercised through disciplined, professional, and accountable security institutions rather than fragmented structures vulnerable to political influence.
These perspectives suggest that Nigeria’s immediate priority should not simply be the creation of state police but the comprehensive transformation of the existing Nigeria Police Force into an institution capable of addressing contemporary security threats.
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International experience further strengthens this argument. Countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Norway, and Finland operate different policing models, yet they share one defining characteristic: they invest heavily in the welfare, professionalism, and operational capacity of their police officers. Modern surveillance technology, forensic laboratories, digital intelligence systems, continuous professional training, decent housing, quality healthcare, life insurance, and attractive retirement packages are regarded not as luxuries but as essential investments in national security.
Ultimately, the strength of any nation’s security architecture is measured not by the number of police organisations it creates but by the professionalism, integrity, competence, and public confidence enjoyed by those entrusted with enforcing the law. Before Nigeria establishes another policing structure, it must first ensure that the existing Nigeria Police Force has every opportunity to succeed. A well-trained, well-equipped, adequately funded, professionally independent, and highly motivated police service will remain one of the country’s greatest assets in safeguarding lives, protecting democratic institutions, promoting economic development, advancing justice, and securing lasting peace.
Security experts have long observed that officers burdened by financial hardship and poor working conditions cannot consistently perform at their highest professional level. An investigator distracted by unpaid allowances, inadequate accommodation, or concern for family welfare is less likely to devote full attention to complex criminal investigations. Effective policing requires officers who can focus entirely on gathering intelligence, preventing crime, protecting victims and witnesses, and enforcing the law without avoidable distractions.
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Herman Goldstein further argued that modern policing should move beyond merely reacting to crime and instead address the underlying conditions that generate criminal behaviour. Such a problem-oriented approach demands highly trained personnel supported by advanced technology, efficient logistics, and competent institutional leadership.
Sociologist, Egon Bittner, also observed that society entrusts police officers with extraordinary authority because they are expected to exercise it responsibly, professionally, and within the limits of the law. Those expectations become increasingly difficult to fulfil when officers themselves work under conditions of neglect.
From a broader sociological perspective, public trust remains the cornerstone of effective policing. Émile Durkheim argued that social order depends upon strong institutions capable of enforcing society’s shared values and norms. Once citizens lose confidence in law enforcement, respect for the rule of law gradually weakens, making crime prevention more difficult and undermining national stability. Improving police welfare, strengthening accountability, and enhancing professionalism therefore contribute not only to better policing but also to stronger social cohesion and greater public confidence.
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Political scientist, Francis Fukuyama, has argued that successful nations are distinguished not by the number of institutions they establish but by the quality and effectiveness of those institutions. Building additional agencies without first strengthening existing ones often results in duplication, inefficiency, unnecessary public expenditure, and institutional confusion. This observation is particularly relevant to Nigeria’s ongoing debate. Creating state police may increase the number of security institutions, but it will not automatically improve security unless persistent challenges relating to funding, professionalism, training, accountability, operational independence, and officer welfare are first resolved.
This should not be interpreted as an outright rejection of state police. There are compelling arguments in favour of decentralised policing, particularly regarding community policing, local intelligence gathering, and faster responses to emerging security threats. Nevertheless, the concerns expressed by constitutional scholars and security analysts about political interference deserve equal attention. In a democratic system that is still evolving, there remains a genuine risk that state-controlled police forces could become instruments of partisan interests, particularly during elections and periods of political tension.
For these reasons, Nigeria’s immediate priority should be comprehensive police reform rather than institutional expansion. The Nigeria Police Force should be equipped with modern surveillance technology, forensic science laboratories, digital crime investigation capabilities, improved intelligence systems, better salaries, decent accommodation, quality healthcare, life insurance, regular professional training, and sufficient operational independence while remaining fully accountable to the Constitution and the Nigerian people.
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Ultimately, the strength of any nation’s security architecture is measured not by the number of police organisations it creates but by the professionalism, integrity, competence, and public confidence enjoyed by those entrusted with enforcing the law. Before Nigeria establishes another policing structure, it must first ensure that the existing Nigeria Police Force has every opportunity to succeed. A well-trained, well-equipped, adequately funded, professionally independent, and highly motivated police service will remain one of the country’s greatest assets in safeguarding lives, protecting democratic institutions, promoting economic development, advancing justice, and securing lasting peace.
