The debate over the establishment of State Police in Nigeria is set to attract major political and security figures in Abuja on Tuesday, October 6, as Niger State Governor, Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago; Founder of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd., High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo; former House of Representatives Minority Leader, Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu; and Secretary of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, Mr. Nnadubem Moghalu, converge on the National Assembly.
The high-profile gathering is expected to focus on the proposed establishment of State Police, with the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to create State Police Services currently before the 36 State Houses of Assembly for consideration.
The discussion will form the centrepiece of the second annual Distinguished Parliamentarian Lecture and Awards organised by the House of Representatives Press Corps.
The lecture is themed “The Imperative for State Police: Securing Communities, Strengthening Federalism,” while Moghalu is expected to deliver the keynote address titled “State Police, Community Security and the Future of Federalism in Nigeria.”
Moghalu 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 address key questions surrounding the implementation of State Police, including funding, recruitment, training, operational independence, accountability, oversight and safeguards against abuse.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, GCON, Ph.D., 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.
Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, is also expected at the event.
With the proposed State Police framework at a critical stage of the constitutional amendment process, the participation of Governor Bago, Tompolo and Elumelu is expected to add political and practical dimensions to the debate, particularly on state governance, community security and protection of critical national assets.
The gathering is expected to bring together lawmakers, policymakers, security professionals, civil society organisations, academics, development partners and media executives for an extensive discussion on the proposed reform.
Also expected are the Clerk to the National Assembly, Barr. Kamoru Ogunlana; Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Akin Rotimi Jr.; Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike; and representatives of CISLAC, NDIC, NCC and development partners.
The event will also feature the presentation of the House of Representatives Press Corps Distinguished Parliamentarian Awards.
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 engagement on issues of national importance.
Onadiran said the choice of State Police for the 2026 edition was informed by the significance of the issue to Nigeria’s security architecture and the ongoing debate over policing and federalism.
The lecture is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at the National Assembly Library Auditorium, Abuja.
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