State Police Debate Gains Momentum as Security Expert Calls for Tripod Model Reform
Jerry Adesewo, Abuja, Nigeria – 3 December 2025
The national conversation on State Police intensified on Wednesday following renewed advocacy by cybersecurity and governance expert, Prof. Ojo Emmanuel Ademola, who argued that decentralised policing is fast becoming an unavoidable security reform for Nigeria.
Speaking during an interview on DSTV 252 News at 10pm, Prof. Ademola described the country’s worsening security situation as “a critical juncture,” noting that insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and emerging cyber threats have exposed the limitations of Nigeria’s centralised police structure.
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He said the recent confirmation of Retired General Musa as Defence Minister presents “a unique opportunity” for Nigeria to recalibrate its security architecture through systemic reforms that strengthen governance, expand capacity, and rebuild public trust.
According to him, the resurgence of the State Police debate is driven by rising insecurity, growing public demand for community-responsive policing, and global precedents that show decentralised policing improves intelligence gathering and accountability.
“State Police is not a threat to unity—it is a tool for resilience,” he said.
Prof. Ademola explained that within his Tripod Model for Security Reform, State Police falls under Pillar 2: Capacity and Innovation, designed to enhance local law enforcement capabilities and reduce the military’s burden of internal security operations.
He proposed a phased approach in which states with stronger institutions pioneer State Police operations, while the federal government provides support and training for states with weaker capacity. Funding, he suggested, could come from a mix of state allocations, federal grants, and public–private partnerships.
Ahead of full implementation, he outlined three priorities for policymakers:
- A national oversight framework to enforce standards and prevent abuse
- Comprehensive training and technology integration
- Community mobilisation to strengthen trust and ethical policing
“Capacity without innovation is inertia. State Police embodies both, and under visionary leadership, it can transform Nigeria’s security landscape,” he added.
Describing General Musa’s appointment as “a strategic turning point,” Prof. Ademola urged the Defence Ministry to lead decentralisation responsibly, guided by the Tripod Model’s principles: Policy and Governance, Capacity and Innovation, and Ethics and Mobilisation.
He concluded that Nigeria must act decisively, noting that insecurity cannot be solved by force alone. “It will be curbed by foresight, synergy, and ethical intelligence,” he said.
The remarks have further energised national stakeholders as debates intensify around constitutional amendments and the future of Nigeria’s policing framework.