A steering committee set up to examine the creation of state police in Nigeria has put forward a comprehensive funding proposal aimed at ensuring long-term sustainability, accountability, and operational efficiency of the system if adopted.

The committee, chaired by Prof. Olu Ogunsakin and inaugurated by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, emphasized that without a stable financial structure, the effectiveness of state policing could be significantly undermined.

In its report, the panel recommended a constitutionally backed funding arrangement where the federal government would contribute three percent of the Federation Account into a dedicated State Police Fund. It further proposed that state governments commit 15 percent of their annual security sector budgets to the same fund.

According to the committee, this shared funding model is designed to reduce inequality between wealthier and less financially capable states, ensuring that all regions can maintain effective policing structures regardless of economic strength.

Disbursement from the proposed fund would be guided by key indicators such as population size, geographical spread, security threat levels, fiscal capacity of states, and compliance with national policing standards. The panel warned that without a transparent allocation system, weaker states risk becoming “security deserts.”

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The committee’s report outlined a broad set of reforms beyond funding, focusing heavily on transparency, accountability, and inter-agency coordination to support the proposed state police framework.

One of the major recommendations is the compulsory use of body-worn cameras by operational officers. Footage from these devices would be stored on secure cloud-based systems and made available to oversight bodies such as police service commissions and ombudsman institutions.

To further enhance public trust, the panel proposed the introduction of digital dashboards displaying arrest statistics, complaint records, conviction rates, and community satisfaction indicators.

The committee also suggested the creation of a Federal-State Police Coordination Council, to be chaired by the Inspector-General of Police. The body would include heads of state police commands, lawmakers, civil society organizations, the National Human Rights Commission, and media representatives to oversee joint security operations and resolve disputes.

On intelligence management, the panel recommended a National Police Intelligence Portal to enable real-time information sharing between federal and state police units. The system would support faster responses to crimes such as kidnapping, trafficking, and organized criminal activities.

A National Police Standards Board was also proposed to monitor compliance across all policing institutions. It would be responsible for annual inspections, publication of performance ratings, and enforcement of standards relating to recruitment, training, funding, and human rights practices.

The committee further called for strict sanctions against political office holders who interfere unlawfully in police operations. It also proposed a national registry to document cases of political interference, accessible to legislative oversight committees.

Additionally, the report recommended fast-tracked judicial procedures for cases involving politically motivated misuse of police authority.

To improve infrastructure, the panel outlined minimum standards for police facilities, including separate detention areas for different categories of detainees, digital evidence systems, command centres, and advanced communication networks.

If implemented, the recommendations are expected to reshape Nigeria’s policing structure into a more decentralized, accountable, and technology-driven system.