19/05/2026
Can state policing improve security in Nigeria without creating new accountability problems?
That was the big question on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, as Open Alliance brought civil society actors, security experts, legal practitioners, policymakers, governance institutions, development partners, and the media into one room in Abuja for a real conversation on the future of policing in Nigeria.
At the stakeholder dialogue on Devolution of Policing in Nigeria: Pathways to Effective and Accountable State Policing, the conversation went beyond “yes or no” and focused on what an effective, accountable, and community-responsive policing system should actually look like.
From local intelligence gathering and community trust to concerns around political interference, weak oversight, police welfare, funding, and accountability, the discussions unpacked both the opportunities and the difficult questions shaping the state policing debate.
One thing everyone agreed on? Policing reform cannot just be about decentralising power. It must also strengthen transparency, professionalism, accountability, and citizens’ trust.
The conversation continues.