Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has declared that the dream of the late former governor of the state, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to establish State Police will eventually become a reality.
Aiyedatiwa made the declaration on Thursday in Ibadan, Oyo State, at a colloquium organised to mark Akeredolu’s 70th posthumous birthday.
The colloquium, themed, “Fundamentals and Governance of State Policing: Towards a New Architecture for National Security in Nigeria,” focused on the late governor’s longstanding advocacy for a decentralised security architecture.
Aiyedatiwa said Akeredolu’s campaign for State Police and security restructuring had moved beyond regional advocacy and had become part of Nigeria’s national policy and constitutional debate.
He described the late Senior Advocate of Nigeria as a selfless public servant whose legacy was defined by courage, intellectual depth and commitment to justice.
According to him, Akeredolu’s positions on security reform were driven by the conviction that communities should have a meaningful role in protecting themselves.
Aiyedatiwa recalled Akeredolu’s various public service roles as Attorney-General of Ondo State, President of the Nigerian Bar Association, governor of Ondo State, Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum.
He said Akeredolu’s advocacy for true federalism became particularly significant when insecurity intensified across the country, leading him and other South-West governors to establish the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun.
The governor said the initiative demonstrated the importance of local intelligence and community participation in combating insecurity.
Aiyedatiwa also cited the recent involvement of the Ondo State Amotekun Corps alongside the Department of State Services, Nigerian Army and other security agencies in operations against suspected ISWAP terrorists in the state’s forests as evidence of the relevance of locally driven security initiatives.
He said the evolution of the security challenges from farmer-herder conflicts to terrorist activities further underscored the need for a policing structure capable of responding quickly to threats at the community level.
Aiyedatiwa said President Bola Tinubu’s support for State Police had created an opportunity to move the idea from years of debate to concrete institutional reform.
He stressed that the proposed system must be professional, accountable, responsive and adequately safeguarded against abuse.
The governor said Akeredolu’s vision should therefore be incorporated into the emerging national framework for State Police.
Nigeria needs 554,353 police personnel — Abiodun
Delivering the keynote address, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, said Nigeria would require an additional 554,353 police personnel to adequately staff the proposed State Police system.
Abiodun, who chairs the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Committee on State Police, also called for a dedicated State Police Take-Off Fund to ensure that poorer states are not disadvantaged by differences in their financial capacity.
He said State Police must be backed by comprehensive reforms covering recruitment, training, funding, welfare, technology, accountability and safeguards against political abuse.
Abiodun said the debate should no longer be about whether Nigeria needs State Police but about how to establish and sustain an effective system.
He linked security reform to economic development, arguing that insecurity affects investment, agriculture, infrastructure and livelihoods.
According to him, Akeredolu understood the connection between security and development and contributed to the establishment of Amotekun as well as efforts towards regional economic development.
Abiodun said the late governor’s advocacy had helped move the conversation on State Police from theory to practical regional action.
Fayemi, Sanwo-Olu pay tribute
Former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, described Akeredolu as a courageous defender of the vulnerable and a consistent voice for justice and the common good.
Fayemi said the late governor was able to connect with both the elite and ordinary Nigerians while combining his seriousness in public affairs with a lively personality.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also described Akeredolu as a steadfast voice for the interests, dignity and security of the South-West.
Represented by the Lagos State Secretary to the State Government, Salu Hundeyin, Sanwo-Olu said Akeredolu regarded leadership as a responsibility rather than a privilege.
He said although the former governor was no longer alive, his ideas and advocacy continued to influence discussions on security and governance.
The colloquium brought together governors, former governors, lawmakers, security chiefs, traditional rulers, academics, civil society representatives, family members and associates of the late governor to examine the future of State Police and Nigeria’s security architecture.
