State Police will benefit young Nigerians most — City Boy Movement

The City Boy Movement (CBM) has said young Nigerians stand to benefit significantly from the proposed establishment of state police, citing the potential to improve security, protect businesses and create safer communities across the country.

The movement in a statement by its National Director of Public Affairs, Daniel Ogoloma, following the approval of the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, by 24 State Houses of Assembly.

The approval meets the two-thirds threshold required under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, paving the way for the proposed amendment to return to the National Assembly for transmission to President Bola Tinubu for assent.

Ogoloma commended the approving state assemblies, the National Assembly and Tinubu for advancing the proposed reform, which has remained a subject of national debate for decades.

He said insecurity had continued to undermine economic opportunities, disrupt education, threaten businesses and discourage investment, particularly among young Nigerians seeking to establish livelihoods.

“Young Nigerians do not need another promise of opportunity. They need roads they can travel safely, businesses they can operate without fear and communities where they can pursue their ambitions in peace,” he said.

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Citing traders, technology entrepreneurs and farmers as examples, Ogoloma argued that a properly structured and accountable state policing system could bring law enforcement closer to communities and improve responses to local security threats.

He urged the remaining State Houses of Assembly to support the amendment, saying broader participation would strengthen public confidence in the proposed policing framework.

“The constitutional threshold has been met, but the momentum must not stop here. Every state has young people whose future depends on safer communities. We encourage the remaining assemblies to lend their support to this important reform,” he added.

The movement, however, noted that the constitutional approval was only one stage in the reform process.

It welcomed the ongoing work of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, whose draft legislation and consequential amendments were undergoing review at the Federal Ministry of Justice ahead of further consideration.

CBM stressed that the effectiveness of state police would depend on professionalism, adequate training, accountability and respect for fundamental human rights.

Ogoloma warned that state policing must not be used as an instrument of political intimidation or abuse of power, insisting that appropriate safeguards would be necessary to protect citizens and build public trust.

The movement reaffirmed its support for the Tinubu administration’s efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture, adding that it would use its structures across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to promote public awareness and responsible civic engagement as the reform progresses.