Ogundoyin leads State Legislatures’ push for overhaul of Nigeria’s Security Architecture

The Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, has renewed calls for a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s security system, warning that the current centralised policing model is overstretched and no longer fit for purpose.

Speaking at a Legislative Dialogue on Nigeria’s Security Architecture in Abuja, themed “Nigeria’s Peace and Security: The Constitutional Imperatives,” Ogundoyin said the prevailing insecurity across the country underscores the urgency of constitutional and structural reforms.

He cited persistent crises, ranging from insurgency in the Northeast, banditry and kidnappings in the North, to farmer-herder conflicts in the South, as clear evidence that the present model has failed to protect citizens or safeguard national stability.

“As presiding officers of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, we witness daily the devastating impact of insecurity on lives, livelihoods, and governance,” Ogundoyin said.

“This Dialogue offers us a platform to align our legislative priorities with the lived realities of Nigerians. The current security framework must evolve to address these pressing challenges,” he added.

He urged the National Assembly and other stakeholders to embrace State Police as a constitutional imperative, not as a political concession, but as a necessary and patriotic response to a national crisis.

While acknowledging the dedication of the Nigeria Police Force and other agencies, Ogundoyin argued that decentralisation is vital for effectiveness.

“It is now evident that the centralised policing structure, no matter how well-intentioned, is no longer sufficient to meet the scale of today’s threats,” he stated.

Anticipating concerns around the creation of State Police, Ogundoyin stressed that issues such as potential misuse, jurisdictional conflicts, and capacity gaps could be resolved through robust legislation, oversight mechanisms, and inter-agency cooperation.

Beyond the State Police debate, the Speaker advocated broader reforms, including enhanced intelligence sharing, improved funding and welfare for security personnel, and stronger legal frameworks to tackle emerging threats like cybercrime and transnational terrorism.

“Security reform is no longer optional—it is a constitutional necessity,” Ogundoyin declared. “We must act now, not just for today’s Nigeria, but for the generations to come.”

He ended his address with a solemn tribute to victims of insecurity across the nation.

“May the souls of all Nigerians who have lost their lives needlessly to insecurity rest in perfect peace,” he prayed.