Nigerian Presidency: Urges Private Sector Funding for State Police

• The Nigerian Presidency has called on the organized private sector to help fund and implement the proposed state police system.
• Twenty-four State Houses of Assembly have approved the constitutional amendment required for state police establishment.
• The draft National Policing Bill, along with 29 amendment bills, was submitted to the Federal Ministry of Justice on October 19.
• Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila emphasized that private sector contributions must be transparent and independently audited.
• States adopting policing must demonstrate financial sustainability for ongoing operations, including pay and training, beyond initial equipment costs.

He explicitly stated that financial donations must never be used to purchase influence over investigations or secure preferential treatment, underscoring the need for integrity in this critical reform.

The Nigerian Presidency has formally urged the organized private sector to contribute financially and operationally to the establishment of a proposed state police system. This significant call was made by Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill. Speaking at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, during a panel discussion on Security, Stability and Economic Resilience, Gbajabiamila highlighted the critical juncture of this reform initiative.

The appeal for private sector engagement comes as the legislative process for state policing advances. On October 19, the Presidential Working Group submitted the comprehensive draft National Policing Bill, accompanied by 29 consequential amendment bills, to the Federal Ministry of Justice. These legislative proposals are slated for review by President Bola Tinubu before their eventual transmission to the National Assembly for further deliberation and enactment. This development underscores the administration's commitment to overhauling the nation's security architecture.

A crucial step towards establishing state police has already been achieved, with 24 State Houses of Assembly having approved the necessary constitutional amendment. This approval, confirmed as of October 23, meets the required threshold for such a significant constitutional change. The proposed state police framework is meticulously designed to balance increased responsibility at the state level with adherence to national professional standards and robust independent oversight mechanisms.

Concerns regarding potential abuses of police powers, particularly against political opponents or vulnerable communities, have been addressed through the incorporation of enforceable limits and remedies within the framework. Furthermore, the former lawmaker emphasized that any state opting to implement its own policing service must demonstrate a clear capacity for sustained operation. This includes ensuring consistent remuneration and ongoing training for personnel, extending beyond the initial procurement of vehicles and uniforms. In states not yet financially prepared, federal policing will continue to operate, ensuring a transitional approach to security provision.

Gbajabiamila strongly advocated for active private sector support, arguing that businesses already bear substantial costs due to the current security landscape, through expenses on private security and disruptions to deliveries. He asserted that the success of state police would directly impact the future viability of businesses across Nigeria. To this end, he specifically tasked the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) with developing a detailed position paper from the private sector perspective. This paper should outline practical proposals for financing and implementing state police, emphasizing accountable partnerships.

The Chief of Staff encouraged the private sector to carry this engagement into the legislative process and discussions with state governments. Potential areas for private sector involvement include funding communication systems, maintaining equipment for police services, and assisting states with long-term cost planning. However, Gbajabiamila issued a stern warning: all contributions must be transparent and subject to independent audit. He explicitly stated that financial donations must never be used to purchase influence over investigations or secure preferential treatment, underscoring the need for integrity in this critical reform.

This policing reform is intrinsically linked to the administration's broader economic agenda, which includes fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange reforms, and tax reforms, all aimed at bolstering government revenue and fostering a secure environment for business operations. The administration is also investing in other security assets, such as new helicopters for Army Aviation.

Lawyers and compliance officers should closely monitor the finalization of the National Policing Bill and state-level implementation frameworks, as the establishment of state police, potentially with private sector funding, will introduce new regulatory compliance considerations, corporate governance challenges for contributing entities, and a significantly altered law enforcement landscape for businesses and individuals across Nigeria.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH