Ogun Governor Abiodun Calls for 554,353 State Police Officers

Dapo Abiodun, the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ogun State, announced that Nigeria needs an additional 554,353 personnel to effectively implement the proposed State Police system. He made this statement during the keynote address at the posthumous 70th birthday colloquium for the late former Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

Abiodun highlighted that the establishment of State Police has become a national imperative, stressing that its success hinges on a sustainable financing arrangement to prevent disparities among states. He cited data from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, indicating that based on the UN's recommended ratio of one police officer per 414 citizens, Nigeria would need about 184,784 recruits annually over three years.

Abiodun advocated for a constitutional State Police Take-Off Fund to ensure equitable access to resources and emphasized that insecurity in low-revenue states poses a national crisis.