Former Education Minister and founder of the School of Politics, Policy and Governance, Oby Ezekwesili, has argued that constitutional restructuring—not just the creation of state police—is the sustainable solution to Nigeria's worsening security crisis. In a public memorandum addressed to President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, state governors, and Nigerians, she stated that the renewed call for state police has revived one of the country's most critical governance debates.
Growing Support for State Police
Ezekwesili acknowledged that support for state police has grown amid escalating insecurity, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, violent extremism, and communal conflicts, which have overwhelmed the centrally controlled police system. Many Nigerians view state police as a long-overdue response to the country's security challenges. She cited Afrobarometer findings showing that 79 percent of Nigerians consider kidnapping a serious problem, while 33 percent know someone kidnapped in the last five years. Additionally, 63 percent felt unsafe in their homes or neighborhoods within the previous year.
“These are not merely security statistics; they are indicators of a profound crisis of state effectiveness and citizen confidence,” she said.
State Police Not a Complete Solution
While supporting the idea of state police, Ezekwesili cautioned that it should not be seen as a complete solution. She argued that Nigeria risks treating a symptom rather than the root cause, insisting that insecurity is fundamentally linked to deeper constitutional, governance, and political economy failures that have weakened state institutions and accountability.
“The central question before Nigeria should not be whether governors ought to control police forces,” she said. “The more important question is whether the constitutional architecture governing the Nigerian federation remains fit for purpose.”
Overcentralized Federal Structure
Ezekwesili maintained that Nigeria's federal structure remains excessively centralized, concentrating authority, resources, and political power at the federal level despite the country's constitutional designation as a federation. She noted that the Constitution grants the Federal Government exclusive control over 68 items on the Exclusive Legislative List, leaving states with limited authority over key governance and development functions. The state police debate focuses on only one of these powers.
“Police are merely one of 68 subjects constitutionally reserved for the Federal Government,” she said, stressing that broader reforms are required to address structural weaknesses fueling insecurity and underdevelopment.
Proposed Restructuring Programme
The former minister proposed a comprehensive restructuring programme built around a new constitutional framework that would devolve powers to subnational governments, strengthen fiscal federalism, promote competitiveness, guarantee equal citizenship rights, and enhance democratic accountability. She also called for a citizens-led Sovereign National Conference and a referendum on a new constitution, describing these measures as essential to restoring sovereignty to the Nigerian people.
Ezekwesili urged the Federal Government and other stakeholders to immediately commence a citizen-driven constitutional reform process, saying it offers the most sustainable path to addressing Nigeria's security and governance challenges.
