The National Economic Council (NEC) has received position reports from all 36 state governors regarding the establishment of state police, with most governors expressing strong support for the move due to escalating security challenges in their respective states. The meeting, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, was attended by state governors, deputy governors, ministers, and several presidential aides.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State briefed the media after the over four-hour meeting, revealing that while there was overwhelming support among governors for the creation of state police, the council decided to postpone further discussion on the issue until January 2024. He explained that nearly every state faces unique security challenges, and many governors agree that state police could offer a solution to address these issues.
“The establishment of state police will help address these gaps, particularly in states grappling with unique security issues,” Sani noted. He also highlighted the shortage of personnel in federal security agencies, including the police and armed forces, which has contributed to widespread insecurity across the country. He mentioned that the NEC secretariat would engage further with stakeholders ahead of the January meeting, where a comprehensive report will be presented.
In addition to discussions on state police, the NEC approved the disbursement of more funds to assist state governments affected by recent flood disasters. The funding will support victims in states where floods have led to significant loss of life and property.
The council also approved 0.05% of non-oil federation revenue to support the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), which had been facing financial difficulties. Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State explained that the commission plays a crucial role in ensuring fair revenue distribution across the federation, and its operations had been hampered by funding constraints. While RMAFC had proposed 0.75% of non-oil revenue, NEC approved 0.05%, subject to further review by the National Assembly.
Additionally, the council directed RMAFC to submit a draft bill to modernize its governing legislation to align with the country’s evolving fiscal needs, emphasizing the importance of adequate funding and an updated legal framework to enable RMAFC to carry out its responsibilities effectively.
