Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has assured Nigerians that the National Assembly is putting in place a funding framework that will ensure the smooth takeoff of state police across the country.
Kalu gave the assurance on Friday while addressing journalists in Abuja upon his return from official engagements in the United Kingdom, where he participated in programmes at Chatham House and the London Climate Action Week.
The Deputy Speaker noted that while many Nigerians have expressed concerns about whether states have the financial capacity to sustain police formations, the National Assembly is already working on solutions to address the challenge.
He explained that the federal government, under President Bola Tinubu, has significantly increased allocations to states through fiscal policies, creating room for states to take on additional responsibilities including policing.
Kalu said the National Assembly is exploring other funding options beyond federal allocations to guarantee that state police does not collapse due to lack of funds.
He also disclosed that despite the ongoing recess, lawmakers are actively consulting and fine-tuning the legislative framework for state police to ensure it is solid enough to withstand the challenges ahead.
On fears that governors could misuse state police to victimise political opponents, Kalu said the proposed legislation contains safeguards against abuse.
He said the bill clearly defines the powers, duties and responsibilities of state police and prescribes national minimum standards that no state can go below.
Kalu added that once the constitutional amendment is passed, the National Assembly will repeal and re-enact the Police Act to provide a comprehensive legal framework for the new policing system.
The Deputy Speaker also reacted to claims that insecurity in Nigeria is worsening, insisting that available data shows improvement.
He noted that the number of local government areas under insurgent control has dropped from 17 to fewer than six, attributing the progress to sustained military operations and increased government investment in the security sector.
Kalu revealed that defence spending has risen from about ₦2.1tn to over ₦5tn under the current administration, while the National Assembly is also working on legislation to place defence funding on first line charge.
He said he presented these reforms at Chatham House, where he briefed international partners on Nigeria’s security efforts, constitutional reforms and preparations for the 2027 general elections.
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