President Bola Tinubu has restated his support for the creation of state police, urging the National Assembly to amend relevant laws to allow states to establish sub-national policing structures where they consider it necessary.
Tinubu said he remained committed to decentralising Nigeria’s security architecture, arguing that the country’s vast size and diversity required additional policing layers to confront rising insecurity.
The president spoke on Friday night at a public lecture in Umuahia organised by the Abia state government to mark the 70th birthday of the former chief of army staff, Lt Gen Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd). The event, titled Leading Nigeria Forward: Strategies for Security and National Cohesion, drew senior military figures and political leaders.
“Let me restate our commitment to the decentralisation of the nation’s policing system by bringing back sub-national policing as was obtainable in the First Republic,” Tinubu said.
“You will recall that I have already given a nod to the establishment of state police. I have stressed the need for the National Assembly to begin the review of relevant laws, such that states that consider state police imperative are able to establish them.”
The president also appealed for national unity, saying Nigeria’s diversity should serve as a source of strength rather than division.
Tinubu, who was represented at the event by the minister of innovation, science and technology, Kingsley Ude, described Ihejirika as a “patriot, pan-Nigerian and fine gentleman”, praising his service during what he called a turbulent period in the fight against insurgency.
He said the federal government remained committed to inclusiveness in key security appointments, noting that Ihejirika was the last service chief from the South East before his administration took office on 29 May 2023.
Tinubu pointed to the appointment of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla from the South East as chief of naval staff in June 2023, and Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, also from the region, as chief of air staff in October 2025.
He said the appointments reflected an effort to foster national cohesion and ensure all parts of the country felt represented within the security establishment.
“We will continue on this trajectory because it is only by giving every part of the country a sense of belonging in setting up the nation’s security architecture that we are able to bolster national cohesion, loyalty, and solidarity needed to overcome the enemies of our nation,” Tinubu said.
The Abia state governor, Alex Otti, said Ihejirika’s birthday was deliberately marked alongside the commissioning of projects to honour his contribution to the state and Nigeria. Otti said leadership should be rooted in service rather than personal ambition, and described Ihejirika’s role as chairman of the Abia state security council as merit-based and impactful.
The chief of army staff, Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu, represented by Maj Gen Thompson Ugiagbe, said Ihejirika’s career was defined by service and that his leadership had strengthened national security.
Nigeria’s defence minister, Gen Christopher Musa (rtd), also praised Ihejirika, recalling what he described as professional encounters and mentorship that shaped operational strategy. Musa said Ihejirika’s introduction of long-range patrols influenced his own command approach and produced notable improvements.
The minister of works, Dave Umahi, described the retired general as a man of integrity who promoted officers strictly on merit.
The keynote speaker, former Kaduna governor Ahmed Makarfi, said effective leadership required vision, inclusiveness and accountability, urging political leaders to prioritise action over rhetoric and harness community cooperation in tackling insecurity.
The chairman of the occasion, Maj Gen Ike Nwachukwu (rtd), described Ihejirika as an exceptional officer and statesman devoted to Nigeria’s development.
Responding, Ihejirika thanked God for his life and said he was overwhelmed by the turnout, which he said included more than 200 generals and numerous serving and retired officers.
