IGP Tunji Disu Proposes State Policing, 60-Month Transition Plan

The Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, has unveiled a far-reaching proposal aimed at restructuring Nigeria’s policing system, including a transition toward decentralised, state-controlled police services.

According to details of the proposal, the IGP is advocating a 60-month transition period to gradually shift from the current centralised policing model to a decentralised framework.

A key component of the plan is the allocation of 3 percent of federal revenue to support policing nationwide, ensuring sustainable funding for both federal and proposed state police structures.

Under the reform blueprint, 60 percent of existing police personnel would be reassigned to state-controlled police services, while the remaining 40 percent would continue operating within the federal police system.

The proposal also calls for the mandatory use of body-worn cameras by officers, a move aimed at improving accountability, transparency, and public trust in law enforcement.

To ensure uniformity and oversight, the IGP suggested the establishment of a National Police Standards Board, which would supervise and regulate both federal and state police operations across the country.

The recommendations signal a major shift in Nigeria’s security architecture and are expected to spark national debate, particularly around the long-standing call for state policing.