KEY POINTS

• The 36 governors backed immediate state police, insisting on constitutional safeguards and federalism.
• They reviewed proposed constitutional amendments with the state attorneys-general.
• The Forum also endorsed a solar super-grid, the National Nutrition Bill and agriculture reforms.

Nigeria’s 36 state governors, under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, have again backed the immediate establishment of state police, while insisting on a structure that is constitutionally sound and aligned with federalism and citizens’ rights. The position emerged in a communiqué from the forum’s second meeting in Abuja, signed by NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

A push for constitutionally sound policing

According to AbdulRazaq, the governors received a presentation from the forum’s secretariat and a delegation of state attorneys-general on efforts to support state police. Moreover, they held a dedicated consultation with the attorneys-general to review the proposed constitutional amendments and frameworks.

The governors first backed the secretariat’s proactive development of a state police framework in April, ahead of the planned amendments. That framework sets out key readiness requirements, including governance structures, financing models, human capital standards, digital systems and oversight mechanisms. Reading the communiqué, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun said the governors emphasized the need for state police to respect federalism and citizens’ rights. Furthermore, he noted that the consultation outcomes would strengthen the states’ collective position.

Power, nutrition and agriculture on the agenda

Beyond policing, the forum advanced several other reforms. The governors received a presentation on the National Solar Super-Grid Initiative, a proposal to expand electricity access through large-scale decentralized solar generation linked to a national high-voltage transmission network. Consequently, they noted its potential to support industrialization, improve energy security and strengthen state electricity markets, and they reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing power sector reforms.

On nutrition, the forum reviewed progress under the National Nutrition 774 Initiative and reaffirmed the governors’ commitment to reducing child malnutrition. In addition, the governors noted ongoing work on the National Nutrition Bill and encouraged continued engagement to strengthen the policy framework for nutrition governance.

Finally, the forum received a World Bank briefing on the proposed Country Partnership Framework for 2026 to 2032 and the Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value-Chains for Growth programme. According to the communiqué, the governors backed collaboration with the federal government, the World Bank and other stakeholders to ensure successful implementation. They also approved state-specific interventions and stressed better coordination across health, nutrition, education, water and sanitation, social protection and family support. Ultimately, the meeting signaled a coordinated push by the states to shape both security and development policy as constitutional reforms advance.