The unfolding debate over the establishment of state police in Nigeria will take centre stage in Abuja on Tuesday, October 6, as the House of Representatives’ Press Corps brings together leading voices in politics, legislation, security and governance for its second annual Distinguished Parliamentarian Lecture and Awards.
The gathering will feature Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago; Founder and Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd., High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo; former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu; and Secretary of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, Mr. Nnabudum Moghalu.
The event comes at a significant point in Nigeria’s security and constitutional reform process, with the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish State Police Services now before the 36 State Houses of Assembly for consideration.
The proposed reform is aimed at strengthening security by creating a more decentralised policing system capable of responding more effectively to security threats and challenges peculiar to individual communities.
The Press Corps has therefore chosen ‘The Imperative for State Police: Securing Communities, Strengthening Federalism’ as the theme of the lecture.
Moghalu, who is also the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Planning and Research, will deliver the lecture titled: State Police, Community Security and the Future of Federalism in Nigeria ‘.
His presentation is expected to examine the proposed policing framework and its implications for community security, federalism and the relationship between state and federal security institutions.
The discussion will also touch on critical implementation issues, including funding, recruitment, training, operational independence, accountability, oversight and safeguards against abuse.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, will serve as Chief Host and is expected to speak on the position of the 10th House on state police and other security-related legislation before the National Assembly.
The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, is also expected to attend the event.
The lecture is expected to attract lawmakers, policymakers, security professionals, civil society organisations, academics, development partners, media executives and other stakeholders, providing an opportunity for a broad exchange of views on the proposed reform.
Governor Bago and Tompolo are expected to bring practical perspectives to the conversation, particularly on state-level governance, community security and the protection of critical national assets.
Other dignitaries expected to participate include: the Clerk to the National Assembly, Barrister Kamoru Ogunlana; Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Akin Rotimi; Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike; and representatives of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and development partners.
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The event will also feature the presentation of the House of Representatives Press Corps Distinguished Parliamentarian Awards to two prominent Nigerians for their contributions to national development, security and public service.
Governor Bago will be honoured for his contributions to rural development and public leadership, while Tompolo will receive the Award of Excellence in National Assets Protection in recognition of his contribution to the protection of Nigeria’s critical national assets.
Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Press Corps, Mr. Gboyega Onadiran, said the annual lecture was designed to provide a platform for informed and constructive discussion on issues of national importance.
He said the choice of state police for this year’s edition was informed by the significance of the issue to Nigeria’s security and the ongoing debate over the future of policing and federalism.
Onadiran said the Press Corps also seeks to promote meaningful engagement among the legislature, security stakeholders, the media and the wider public on major national issues.
The event is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. at the National Assembly Library Auditorium, Abuja, on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
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