In a resounding call that echoes the frustrations of millions of Nigerians grappling with daily insecurities, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, has declared that the nation can no longer afford to postpone the establishment of state police. This bold assertion, made during an interaction with journalists in Abuja, underscores a pivotal moment in Nigeria's quest to overhaul its beleaguered security architecture. Kalu, fresh from international engagements that highlighted global best practices in governance and trade, emphasized that the country's outdated centralized policing model is not just inefficient but dangerously obsolete in the face of modern threats. As Nigeria battles a cocktail of insurgencies, banditry, kidnappings, and communal clashes, Kalu's words serve as a clarion call for legislative action, one that could redefine how the nation safeguards its citizens and propels its economic recovery.
The Deputy Speaker's remarks came on the heels of his return from Geneva, Switzerland, where he represented Nigeria at the 55th Parliamentary Conference on the World Trade Organization/Inter-Parliamentary Union (WTO-IPU) Public Forum 2025. This high-profile gathering, which drew parliamentarians, policymakers, and global leaders from over 100 countries, focused on the intersections of trade, sustainable development, and inclusive governance. For Kalu, the forum was more than a diplomatic sortie; it was a lens through which to view Nigeria's domestic vulnerabilities. Amid discussions on how nations can leverage multilateral frameworks to combat transnational crimes like human trafficking and cyber threats, Kalu drew parallels to Nigeria's internal strife. "In Geneva, we saw how decentralized systems empower local authorities to respond swiftly to security lapses," he later reflected to reporters. "Nigeria's one-size-fits-all policing is a relic of colonial-era control, not a tool for 21st-century challenges."
Kalu's advocacy is not born in isolation. Prior to his Swiss trip, he had been hosted by a vibrant community of Nigerian students at the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School in the United States. This intellectual pitstop, part of a broader tour to foster diaspora ties and explore innovative policy solutions, exposed him to cutting-edge research on federalism and security. At Harvard, discussions revolved around case studies from federations like the United States and India, where multi-tiered policing structures have proven instrumental in quelling unrest and enhancing public trust. Kalu, drawing from these exchanges, returned to Nigeria invigorated, armed with data and anecdotes that bolster his push for reform. "The students there, many of whom hail from insecurity-ravaged regions back home, reminded me that our youth demand not just rhetoric but results," he shared. This transatlantic perspective has clearly sharpened his resolve, positioning him as a bridge between global insights and local imperatives.
At the heart of Kalu's argument is the glaring inadequacy of Nigeria's centralized policing framework. Established under the 1999 Constitution, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) operates as a monolithic entity controlled from Abuja, with over 300,000 officers spread thinly across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. This structure, Kalu contends, falls woefully short of global benchmarks. For context, the United Nations recommends a police-to-citizen ratio of at least 1:500, a standard Nigeria barely meets at around 1:650, according to recent Interpol reports. More critically, response times in rural and semi-urban areas can stretch to hours or even days, a far cry from the 10-15 minutes advocated by international norms like those from the International Association of Chiefs of Police. "Our current system is like trying to douse a forest fire with a garden hose," Kalu quipped during the press briefing, his tone laced with urgency and frustration.
To illustrate, consider the escalating wave of insecurity that has plagued Nigeria in recent years. In the northeast, Boko Haram and its splinter groups like the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) continue to unleash terror, displacing over 2.2 million people as per United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) data from mid-2025. The northwest, meanwhile, is a hotbed for banditry, with armed gangs raiding villages, kidnapping schoolchildren, and extorting levies from farmers—incidents that claimed over 1,500 lives in the first half of 2025 alone, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED). In the south-south and southeast, oil theft, cultism, and separatist agitations compound the chaos, often leaving federal forces overstretched and under-resourced. Kalu pointed to a recent ambush in Zamfara State, where bandits slaughtered 45 villagers before police reinforcements arrived—three agonizing hours later. Such tragedies, he argued, are not anomalies but symptoms of a system ill-equipped for Nigeria's diverse geography and demographics.
Decentralization, Kalu insists, is the panacea. By unbundling the police into federal, state, and potentially municipal levels, Nigeria could mirror successful models worldwide. In the United States, for instance, over 18,000 law enforcement agencies operate at local levels, enabling rapid interventions tailored to community needs—response times averaging under 10 minutes in urban centers, per FBI statistics. Canada's Royal Canadian Mounted Police coexists with provincial forces, fostering specialized units for indigenous lands and urban hubs. Even in Africa, South Africa's post-apartheid reforms introduced municipal policing, which has helped curb urban crime rates by 25% since 2010, as reported by the Institute for Security Studies. Kalu envisions a Nigerian variant where state police handle localized crimes like communal disputes and traffic enforcement, while federal units focus on border security and counter-terrorism. "Certain subject matters will now be handled by the state police and federal police, respectively," he elaborated. "This isn't about fragmentation; it's about fortification."
This vision is already taking legislative shape through the State Police Bill currently before the National Assembly. Sponsored by a coalition of lawmakers from across party lines, the bill proposes constitutional amendments to empower states to establish and fund their own police services, subject to federal oversight to prevent abuse. Key provisions include standardized training protocols, a national database for coordination, and mechanisms for joint operations during crises. Kalu, as a principal officer, has been instrumental in shepherding the bill through committee stages, navigating heated debates on funding and accountability. To democratize the process, the House has scheduled a national public hearing for the coming Monday—a platform for stakeholders ranging from governors and civil society groups to traditional rulers and affected communities to voice concerns and contributions. "This hearing isn't a formality; it's a reckoning," Kalu stressed. "We want every Nigerian's input to ensure the bill emerges robust and equitable."
Yet, no reform of this magnitude comes without thorns. A chorus of skeptics, including some federal lawmakers and security analysts, fears that state police could be "hijacked" by overzealous governors or ethnic warlords, morphing into tools of political repression rather than public protection. Echoes of this apprehension resound from Nigeria's past: during the First Republic (1960-1966), regional police forces were accused of fueling ethnic tensions, culminating in the 1966 coups. More recently, vigilante groups like the Amotekun in the southwest have raised eyebrows for their quasi-militaristic operations, prompting questions about arming state-level entities. Kalu acknowledges these "ghosts of federalism," but counters with pragmatic safeguards. "There may be fears of hijacking it," he conceded, "but we cannot because of that deny the majority of Nigerians the security of lives and property that we promised them as a government." The bill, he noted, incorporates veto powers for the National Assembly, mandatory human rights training, and fiscal transparency to mitigate misuse.
Beyond the mechanics, Kalu's push for state police is intertwined with a broader narrative of national resilience. He lauded Nigerians for their "unwavering patriotism" in supporting President Bola Tinubu's sweeping economic reforms, particularly the audacious removal of the fuel subsidy in May 2023. This policy, long decried as a fiscal black hole draining $10 billion annually from the federation account, initially sparked nationwide protests and fuel scarcity. Yet, as Kalu highlighted, the public endured, buoyed by Tinubu's assurances of redirecting savings toward infrastructure and social safety nets. By 2025, early dividends are emerging: the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) reports that subsidy savings have funded over 5,000 kilometers of rural roads and expanded the National Social Investment Programme, lifting 1.5 million households out of poverty, per World Bank assessments. "Nigerians stood with the President because they saw the vision," Kalu said. "Tough as it was, it was necessary to reposition our economy from dependency to dynamism."
This economic pivot dovetails seamlessly with security imperatives. A stable polity is the bedrock of investment, and insecurity has exacted a staggering toll: the Central Bank of Nigeria estimates that banditry and insurgency shaved 2.5% off GDP growth in 2024 alone, deterring foreign direct investment (FDI) which plummeted to $2.3 billion from a pre-pandemic peak of $8.8 billion. Kalu praised state governments for spearheading diversification drives, shifting from oil monoculture to agriculture, tech hubs, and renewable energy. In Kano, for example, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf's agro-industrial parks have created 50,000 jobs since 2023, blending mechanized farming with youth training programs. Lagos State's tech ecosystem, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has birthed unicorns like Flutterwave, exporting digital solutions to Africa and beyond. "These efforts will boost job creation and citizens’ welfare," Kalu affirmed. "Diversification isn't a buzzword; it's our lifeline."
Looking ahead, Kalu urged a collective ethos of unity. "We are looking forward to the benefits of these reforms, going forward. This is the time for everybody’s hands to be on deck. We cannot afford to be distracted. It is time to move Nigeria forward." His words resonate in a nation at a crossroads, where the youth bulge—over 70% of the population under 30—demands opportunity amid adversity. Initiatives like the National Youth Service Corps' skill acquisition programs and the Digital Nigeria Project are gaining traction, but they thrive only in secure environments. Kalu's international sojourns, from Harvard's ivory towers to Geneva's multilateral halls, have reinforced his belief that Nigeria's path lies in adaptive federalism, not rigid centralism.
To delve deeper into the State Police Bill's potential impact, one must examine its ripple effects on governance. Proponents argue it could reduce the NPF's ballooning budget—from N1.2 trillion in 2025—by devolving routine duties, freeing federal resources for elite units like the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) successors. Economists project that enhanced security could unlock $15 billion in annual agricultural output, as farmers reclaim fertile lands in the Middle Belt. Socially, it promises inclusivity: states could recruit from local pools, addressing the ethnic imbalances that plague the NPF, where northern dominance has fueled southern distrust. Women's representation, currently at a dismal 10% in policing, could surge through state-level quotas, aligning with global gender parity goals.
Critics, however, aren't easily placated. Human Rights Watch has flagged risks of extrajudicial abuses, citing Kenya's county policing model's early teething problems, where corruption scandals eroded public confidence. In Nigeria, opposition figures like Atiku Abubakar have warned that without ironclad federal controls, states like Rivers or Anambra could weaponize police against rivals. Kalu counters by invoking the public hearing as a firewall: "Let governors, activists, and ordinary citizens dissect every clause. This is parliament's covenant with the people." Indeed, the hearing, set for Monday at the National Assembly Complex, will feature virtual inputs from diaspora Nigerians, ensuring broad buy-in.
Kalu's personal journey adds poignancy to his advocacy. A lawyer and engineer by training, the Abia State-born politician rose through the ranks as a vocal minority leader before his 2023 elevation to Deputy Speakership. His "One Nigeria" mantra, blending Igbo heritage with pan-Nigerian zeal, has endeared him to moderates. At Harvard, he engaged in simulations on federal bargaining, emerging with strategies to assuage fears of balkanization. In Geneva, WTO-IPU sessions on trade-security linkages illuminated how porous borders exacerbate smuggling and arms flows into Nigeria—issues state police could localize.
Economically, Kalu's optimism is data-driven. Tinubu's reforms have stabilized the naira, with inflation dipping to 22% by September 2025 from 34% peaks, per National Bureau of Statistics. Subsidy removal has catalyzed private refineries like Dangote's, promising fuel self-sufficiency and slashing import bills by 40%. States are key players: Enugu's coal revival and Ogun's industrial parks exemplify bottom-up innovation. Yet, Kalu warns, insecurity siphons these gains—kidnappings alone cost $1 billion in ransoms last year, per a Premium Times investigation. State police, by shortening response loops, could reclaim this lost treasure.
In the realm of public health and education, secure environments amplify reforms. The Basic Health Care Provision Fund, bolstered by subsidy savings, has vaccinated 10 million children against polio in 2025, but banditry disrupts northern clinics. Similarly, the Student Loan Act has disbursed N50 billion to 500,000 undergraduates, yet campus raids in Benue underscore the need for layered security. Kalu's vision integrates these threads: safe schools foster literate workforces, fueling diversification.
As the public hearing looms, Kalu's message reverberates. From Abuja's power corridors to village squares, Nigerians ponder: Can state police heal a fractured federation? Kalu's answer is unequivocal—delay is deadly. His call for unity isn't platitudinous; it's a blueprint. With hands on deck, Nigeria edges toward a secure, prosperous dawn.
Historical Context: From Colonial Legacies to Modern Imperatives
To fully grasp Kalu's urgency, one must rewind to Nigeria's policing origins. The NPF traces to 1861, when British colonialists formed the Hausa Constabulary in Lagos to enforce trade monopolies and suppress revolts. By 1930, it evolved into a centralized force under the Inspector-General, designed to quash nationalism rather than serve citizens. Post-independence, the 1966 unification under Decree No. 5 aimed to prevent ethnic militias but entrenched Abuja's grip, stifling local responsiveness. The 1979 Constitution formalized this, but as population exploded from 80 million in 1980 to 230 million today, the model cracked.
Global shifts offer lessons. The UK's territorial policing, post-1829, decentralized to boroughs, reducing Victorian crime waves. Australia's state forces, since federation in 1901, coordinate via the Australian Federal Police, balancing autonomy with unity—a template Kalu admires. In Brazil, a 1988 constitution devolved policing, curbing favelas violence by 30% in São Paulo, per Igarapé Institute data. Nigeria's lag is stark: while Brazil boasts 1:300 police ratios, Nigeria's understaffing leaves vast swathes vulnerable.
Kalu's Harvard sojourn amplified these insights. Hosted by the Nigerian Students Association, he keynoted a seminar on "Federalism in Fragile States," debating with professors like Archon Fung on participatory governance. "They showed how U.S. sheriffs, elected locally, build trust—something our IGs, appointed top-down, often lack," Kalu recounted. Back in Geneva, the WTO-IPU forum's panel on "Trade and Illicit Flows" featured speakers from the EU's Frontex, highlighting how decentralized border police stem migrant smuggling. For Nigeria, with 4,000 km of porous borders, this translates to empowering state units in Cross River or Sokoto.
Economic Synergies: Security as Growth Catalyst
Kalu's linkage of security to economics is prescient. The African Development Bank projects that resolving insecurity could add 3% to Nigeria's GDP by 2030, equating to $100 billion. Agriculture, employing 70% of the workforce, suffers most: the 2024 farmer-herder clashes displaced 200,000 in Benue, halving yam yields, per FAO reports. State police could patrol farmlands, enabling mechanization and exports—Nigeria's rice imports fell 50% post-2023 Anchor Borrowers' Programme, but insecurity caps gains.
Diversification spotlights abound. In Kebbi, Governor Nasir Idris's rice mills process 1 million tons annually, creating 20,000 jobs. Ekiti's cocoa cooperatives, guarded by community watchers, boosted output 15%. Kalu envisions state police as enablers, not just enforcers—training farmers in self-defense, integrating tech like drones for surveillance. Tech-wise, Abuja's Silicon Savanna has minted 100 startups since 2024, but kidnappings deter venture capital. Secure states could nurture more unicorns, rivaling Kenya's M-Pesa ecosystem.
On reforms, Tinubu's playbook—subsidy axe, forex unification—has drawn IMF plaudits, with reserves hitting $35 billion in 2025. Yet, equity lags: northern states, subsidy-dependent, face 40% youth unemployment. Kalu's commendation of governors underscores federalism's promise—states tailoring palliatives, like Osun's free education expansion.
Social Dimensions: Inclusivity and Human Rights
Kalu's rhetoric foregrounds the human cost. Over 100,000 deaths from insecurity since 2010, per ACLED, orphaning generations. Women and girls bear disproportionate brunt—Chibok's 276 abductees symbolize enduring trauma. State police could embed gender desks, as in Ghana's model, where female officers reduced domestic violence reports by 20%.
Youth engagement is key. Kalu's "Not Too Young To Run" advocacy, from 2018, aligns with empowering local forces to mentor at-risk teens. The public hearing will amplify voices: NYSC corps members from Kaduna plan testimonies on rural patrols' gaps.
Challenges and Counterarguments: Navigating the Minefield
Dissent simmers. Northern governors fear funding strains—states' allocations average N10 billion monthly, per FAAC, insufficient for armed outfits. Southern skeptics, scarred by military rule, dread "gestapo" states. Kalu proposes a National Police Council, with equal state-federal reps, and a $5 billion seed fund from subsidy savings.
Implementation hurdles loom: training 100,000 state officers could take five years, costing N500 billion, estimates the BudgIT think tank. Corruption, endemic in NPF (with 2024 Transparency International scores at 25/100), demands vetting. Kalu pledges tech audits, blockchain for arms tracking.
Global Echoes: Nigeria in the World
Kalu's travels contextualize Nigeria's plight. At WTO-IPU, he networked with India's Lok Sabha reps, whose state police quelled Naxalite insurgencies. U.S. congressmen shared post-9/11 fusion centers—models for Nigeria's proposed command hubs. These exchanges position Kalu as a global advocate, pitching state police at UN forums.
Path Forward: Unity in Action
As Monday's hearing beckons, Kalu's plea—"hands on deck"—is a summons. With Tinubu's backing, the bill could pass by Q1 2026, ushering an era where security is sovereign, not subservient. Nigeria, Kalu believes, stands at renewal's threshold. Delay, he warns, courts peril; action begets progress. In this narrative, the Deputy Speaker emerges not just as legislator, but as architect of hope.
