IGP Disu Unveils 5-Year Roadmap for State Police Transition

ABUJA – In a landmark move toward restructuring Nigeria’s internal security, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, has formally submitted a comprehensive 75-page framework to the National Assembly, outlining a phased transition to a decentralized policing system.

​The document, presented to the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, proposes a 60-month (five-year) implementation roadmap designed to transform the current unified structure into a two-tier system consisting of a Federal Police Service and 37 State Police Services (including the FCT).

​The 60/40 Split and Personnel Transition

​Central to the IGP’s proposal is a massive strategic redeployment of the force’s human capital. The framework recommends:

• ​60% of existing personnel will be transitioned to the newly formed state police services.
• ​40% of personnel will remain under the federal structure to handle national security, counter-terrorism, and interstate crimes.

​To ensure a smooth transition, the plan includes a three-month salary grant, specialized transition training, and a constitutional guarantee for pension continuity for all officers moving to state commands.

​Financing the New Frontier

​Recognizing that funding has been a perennial hurdle for police efficiency, IGP Disu has proposed the creation of a State Police Fund. This fund would be constitutionally guaranteed, drawing:

1.3% of the Federation Account allocation.

2.A mandatory minimum contribution of 15% from each state’s annual security budget.

Oversight and Technology: The “National Standards”

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To prevent the potential for political abuse by state actors—a primary concern for critics of decentralization—the framework calls for the establishment of a National Police Standards Board (NPSB). This 13-member independent body will supervise both federal and state formations to ensure uniform professional conduct across the country.

​Furthermore, the proposal mandates the compulsory use of body-worn cameras for all officers on field duty, aiming to enhance transparency and provide digital accountability for police-citizen interactions.

​The Phased Implementation

​The transition is structured into distinct phases:

• ​Year 1: Focuses on constitutional amendments, particularly to Section 214, to move policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List.
• ​Years 2–4: Involvement in the gradual transfer of assets, personnel training, and the establishment of state-level commands.
• ​Year 5: Final consolidation, culminating in an independent evaluation of the new system’s efficacy.

​The IGP emphasized that this model prioritizes community policing as its “operational nerve center,” ensuring that security is handled by personnel who understand the local terrain and culture.