The Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) has laid down a firm condition for the creation of state police: it must be constitutional, federal, and protective of citizens' rights.

At their meeting in Abuja on Thursday, the 36 governors said any move to establish state police must be fully aligned with the principles of true federalism. They aren't just talking — they've started the hard work.

The forum, chaired by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said it's actively consulting with the attorneys-general of all 36 states to review the proposed constitutional amendments needed to make state police a reality. The communiqué was read by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun.

“Governors emphasised the need for the state police to be constitutionally sound and aligned with federalism and citizens’ rights,” the communiqué stated.

The message is clear: the governors want to ensure that the new police force doesn't become a tool for oppression by state governments. They want safeguards written into the constitution before any bill is passed.

This push for state police has been a long-standing demand, especially from southern governors who argue that the current centralised Nigeria Police Force is overstretched and ineffective at tackling local security challenges like banditry, kidnapping, and farmer-herder clashes.

The NGF also touched on other national issues. On nutrition, the governors reaffirmed their commitment to reducing child malnutrition across the country. They received a progress report on the National Nutrition 774 (N-774) Initiative from the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

According to Abiodun, the forum acknowledged the ongoing work on the National Nutrition Bill and encouraged continued engagement with stakeholders to strengthen the legal and policy framework for nutrition governance.

On agriculture, the governors backed the proposed Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value-Chains for Growth (AGROW) Programme. This is a World Bank-supported, results-based initiative designed to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen value chains, increase private sector participation, enhance food security, and boost Early Childhood Development (ECD).

“The forum supports ongoing collaboration with the federal government, the World Bank, and other stakeholders to ensure successful implementation and deliver benefits to participating states,” Abiodun said.

Governors approved state-specific interventions and stressed the need for better coordination across health, nutrition, education, water and sanitation, social protection, and family support sectors.

On energy, the NGF received a presentation on the National Solar Super-Grid (NSSG) Initiative — a plan to expand electricity access through large-scale, decentralised solar generation integrated with the national high-voltage transmission network.

Governors recognised the initiative's potential to drive industrialisation, improve energy security, strengthen state electricity markets, and accelerate economic growth. They reiterated their commitment to ongoing power sector reforms and collaboration to expand access to reliable and affordable electricity.

The forum also received a briefing by the World Bank Country Office on the proposed Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Nigeria, covering the period FY2026–2032.

All these decisions come as the country grapples with multiple crises — from insecurity to malnutrition to unreliable power. The governors are positioning themselves to take more control, but they want the legal framework right first.