President Tinubu’s administration urges private sector to draft funding and implementation plan for Nigeria’s state police

The Nigerian presidential office has officially requested that the structured private sector develop a detailed plan for funding and executing the planned state police framework. Femi Gbajabiamila, who serves as the President's Chief of Staff and leads the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, issued this directive during a session titled 'Security, Stability and Economic Resilience' at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit held in Abuja on Monday, 28 October 2026. Gbajabiamila directed the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), trade bodies, and other commercial organizations to formulate actionable plans addressing financial resources, organizational oversight, and responsible collaborations to facilitate the decentralization of law enforcement.

As reported in the official statements, the presidential administration considers the establishment of state police forces a chance for the corporate sector to assist in developing security structures that safeguard capital, create employment, and strengthen economic stability. Gbajabiamila urged business leaders to engage governors and legislators, stressing that effective local policing is linked to employment creation and investment decisions. He warned that any private‑sector contribution must be transparent, subject to published accounts and independent scrutiny, and must never compromise police independence or allow donations to influence investigations.

Background

The push for a state police system forms part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader security reform agenda. The National Policing Bill, which seeks to decentralise policing powers from the federal level to the states, has been under legislative consideration for several months. The 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit, a yearly gathering of policymakers and business leaders, provided the platform for the latest announcement. Gbajabiamila pointed out that the current lack of security has already placed a massive financial burden on companies via interrupted logistics, cancelled investments, delayed industrial growth, and missed commercial prospects. He argued that the private sector’s experience in managing institutions, controlling expenditure and assessing risk could improve the design and implementation of the new policing framework.

The presidency’s request builds on earlier statements that public funding must remain reliable and that private contributions should focus on expertise such as communications infrastructure, equipment maintenance and financial planning, rather than merely supplying vehicles or uniforms. Gbajabiamila stressed that sustainable financing is essential, noting that a state must be able to fund personnel salaries, professional training and ongoing operational maintenance beyond the initial procurement of equipment.

Why it matters

The proposed state police system is positioned as a catalyst for economic growth. By improving local security, the government hopes to reduce the costs businesses incur from insecurity, thereby encouraging investment and job creation. The private sector’s involvement could shape how resources are allocated, ensuring that funding mechanisms are transparent and that oversight mechanisms are robust. If successful, the partnership model could set a precedent for public‑private collaboration in other sectors of public service delivery.

Stakeholders, including business leaders, state governors and legislators, are expected to assess the proposals for financing and oversight. The emphasis on published accounts and independent scrutiny aims to safeguard the independence of police institutions while leveraging private‑sector expertise. The blueprint’s development is also intended to feed into the legislative process, providing lawmakers with concrete models for funding and managing state police operations.

What happens next

Gbajabiamila asked the NESG and associated business groups to take the engagement beyond the summit, develop detailed proposals and present them to both the legislative process and state governments. The presidency indicated that these proposals will be examined as the National Policing Bill moves through parliament. No specific timeline for submission or approval of the blueprint was provided, but the call for immediate action suggests that the government expects the private sector to begin work promptly. The next steps will involve discussions with governors and legislators to align the financing models with state capacities and to ensure that any partnership adheres to the legal and accountability frameworks outlined by the presidency.