Security analyst Tony Nyiam, has described the move by Bola Tinubu to introduce state police as a progressive step, but warned that deeper reforms are needed to fix corruption and structural failures in Nigeria’s security architecture.
Speaking on Arise News on Monday, Nyiam said the current national security system has been compromised over time and has failed to effectively serve the people.
Drawing lessons from policing models in countries such as Scotland, India, Australia, and Canada, he noted that police forces in many developed systems operate as locally managed civilian services rather than centralised forces.
While commending the president’s push for state police, Nyiam cautioned that the initiative alone cannot resolve the deep gaps in Nigeria’s security framework.
He called for additional expert committees to address operational coordination, funding, and oversight of both federal and state policing structures.
Nyiam also warned that introducing state police without tackling systemic corruption could worsen existing problems, stressing that accountability must be central to any reform.
He further highlighted the challenge of multiple armed security institutions in Nigeria, noting the presence of several agencies and regional security outfits already operating alongside the police.
According to him, state police will only succeed if citizens have greater control over policing, including the ability to hold leadership accountable.
Nyiam concluded that while decentralising policing is necessary, genuine reform must focus on transparency, intelligence strengthening, and restoring public trust in the security system.
