By Monsurat Abisoye
Nigeria’s 36 state governors have expressed confidence in the progress towards establishing state police, insisting that any new policing system must be constitutionally backed and consistent with the principles of federalism and the protection of citizens’ rights.
The position was contained in a communiqué issued after the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) meeting in Abuja, where governors received a briefing from the states’ Attorneys-General on ongoing efforts to establish state police. Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, who read the communiqué, said consultations were underway to review the proposed constitutional amendments and legal framework required for the initiative.
The governors noted that the outcomes of the consultations would strengthen the states’ collective position on state policing. They also acknowledged earlier efforts by the NGF Secretariat in developing a framework covering governance structures, funding models, human resource standards, digital systems, and oversight mechanisms ahead of the proposed constitutional amendments.
The forum also reaffirmed its support for ongoing electricity sector reforms and pledged closer collaboration with relevant stakeholders to improve access to reliable and affordable power across the country.
Governors received a presentation on the proposed National Solar Super-Grid (NSSG) Initiative, which aims to expand electricity access through large-scale decentralised solar generation connected to a national high-voltage transmission network. They expressed optimism that the project would boost industrialisation, strengthen energy security, support state electricity markets, and drive economic growth.
On nutrition, the NGF endorsed the National Nutrition 774 (N-774) Initiative and reaffirmed its commitment to tackling child malnutrition. The governors also welcomed ongoing work on the National Nutrition Bill and called for continued stakeholder engagement to strengthen Nigeria’s legal and policy framework for nutrition governance.
The forum further received a briefing from the World Bank Country Office on the proposed Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Nigeria covering the 2026–2032 fiscal period, as well as the proposed Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value-Chains for Growth (AGROW) Programme. The results-based initiative is designed to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen value chains, increase private sector participation, enhance food security, and support Early Childhood Development (ECD).
The governors backed continued collaboration with the Federal Government, the World Bank, and other development partners to ensure the successful implementation of the programme. They also approved state-specific interventions and stressed the need for better coordination across health, nutrition, education, water and sanitation, social protection, and family support programmes.
