Nigeria seeks private-sector plan to fund state police
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on ThisDay
Nigeria’s presidency has asked the private sector to propose a funding and implementation plan for the future state police. Femi Gbajabiamila says businesses should contribute to a reform intended to strengthen security and economic resilience, according to ThisDay.
Nigeria’s Senate has tasked its debt committee with reviewing the proposed state police system and submitting a report within a week, following President Bola Tinubu’s call for the private sector to take part in financing and implementing the reform. Femi Gbajabiamila, the president’s chief of staff and chair of the Presidential Task Force on the National Police Bill, made the appeal at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, according to ThisDay.
Gbajabiamila called on the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, chambers of commerce and business associations to propose funding mechanisms, institutional management arrangements and accountable partnerships. He argued that insecurity was already causing supply-chain disruptions, abandoned investments and postponed factory expansions for businesses.
The official also asked business leaders to engage with governors and lawmakers and provide data on security failures that are holding back investment and job creation. The request comes as Lagos State, which supports the creation of state police, calls for greater local powers in the state police debate.
