Prominent businessman and Chairman of Stafolga Group and Flow FM, Araba Femi Sanni, has backed growing calls for the establishment of state police, saying improved security across Nigeria’s states is critical to economic growth and investor confidence.
Sanni spoke with journalists at the Ilorin International Airport on Monday while departing the city, noting that Nigeria’s long-term economic strength will depend largely on how successfully its states evolve into vibrant and competitive economic centres.
Drawing from his experience in private enterprise and exposure to global business environments, he said countries widely regarded as fast-growing economies typically have several thriving subnational economies driving national development.
According to him, Nigeria currently relies on only a few such economic hubs — Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt — a situation he said limits the country’s global economic image and broader development potential.
“If more states develop into vibrant economic centres, Nigeria will naturally be better perceived globally as a fast-developing nation,” he said.
Sanni stressed that security remains a decisive factor in unlocking such growth, describing it as a critical asset for attracting investment.
“No serious investor will commit resources in an environment where security is uncertain,” he said, adding that the creation of state police could significantly strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture by bringing law enforcement closer to communities.
According to him, state policing would also improve accountability by empowering governors to function effectively as chief security officers of their states.
He added that the introduction of state police could deepen healthy competition among governors, particularly in the area of security management and public safety.
Sanni attributed the evolution of governance competition among states partly to the leadership example set by Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his tenure as governor of Lagos State.
He noted that beyond infrastructure development, states could begin to compete in the future on the efficiency, professionalism and effectiveness of their policing systems.
Addressing concerns about possible abuse, Sanni said Nigeria previously operated regional police during the First Republic and already runs several community-based security outfits across states.
“In the face of banditry, terrorism and insurgency, strengthening security structures is not optional,” he said.
“For me, state police is clearly the way to go.”
Leave a Reply