Former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Sam Amadi, has called for far-reaching reforms of Nigeria’s policing system, arguing that the country’s security challenges cannot be resolved by creating state police alone. He stressed that meaningful reform must focus on improving accountability, professionalism, and institutional effectiveness across the entire law enforcement system.
Amadi made the remarks while contributing to the ongoing national debate on the establishment of state police as a strategy to address rising insecurity across Nigeria. According to him, decentralizing the police structure without addressing existing institutional weaknesses could simply replicate the current problems at the state level.
He argued that reforms should include better recruitment standards, improved training, adequate funding, stronger oversight mechanisms, and enhanced respect for human rights. Amadi also emphasized the need to build public trust in law enforcement through transparency and accountability, noting that effective policing depends on cooperation between security agencies and the communities they serve.
According to the policy expert, discussions on state police should not overshadow broader issues affecting Nigeria’s security architecture. He maintained that reforms must address operational efficiency, intelligence gathering, coordination among security agencies, and the welfare of police personnel to achieve lasting improvements in public safety.
The debate over state police has intensified in recent years as federal and state governments explore solutions to growing cases of banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, and communal violence. While supporters argue that state-controlled police forces would improve local intelligence and response times, critics have raised concerns about political interference and the potential abuse of power by state governments.
Amadi maintained that regardless of the model eventually adopted, Nigeria’s priority should be building a modern, accountable, and citizen-focused policing system capable of protecting lives and property while upholding the rule of law. He said comprehensive institutional reform remains the most sustainable path toward improving national security and restoring public confidence in law enforcement.
