Governor Bago, Tompolo, Elumelu, Moghalu To speak on State Police bill at House of Representatives Press Corps Lecture next week
The debate over the establishment of state police in Nigeria will take centre stage in Abuja on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, as the House of Representatives Press Corps hosts its second annual Distinguished Parliamentarian Lecture and Awards.
The event themed, “The Imperative for State Police: Securing Communities, Strengthening Federalism.” is scheduled to commence at 10:00 a.m. at the National Assembly Library Auditorium, Abuja, on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 and is expected to bring together stakeholders in politics, legislation, security and governance.
The gathering comes amid ongoing constitutional reform efforts, with the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish State Police Services currently before the 36 State Houses of Assembly for consideration.
The proposed reform is aimed at decentralising Nigeria’s policing structure and strengthening the capacity of security agencies to respond to threats and challenges peculiar to individual communities.
Among the prominent speakers expected at the event are Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago; Founder and Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo; former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu; and Secretary of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, Mr Nnadubem Moghalu.
Moghalu, who is also the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Planning and Research, is expected to deliver the lecture titled, “State Police, Community Security and the Future of Federalism in Nigeria.”
His presentation is expected to examine the proposed policing framework and its implications for community security, federalism and the relationship between state and federal security institutions.
The discussion is also expected to address critical issues surrounding the proposed system, including funding, recruitment, training, operational independence, accountability, oversight and safeguards against abuse.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, GCON, will serve as Chief Host and is expected to speak on the position of the 10th House on state police and other security-related legislation before the National Assembly.
The Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, is also expected to attend the event.
The lecture is expected to attract lawmakers, policymakers, security professionals, civil society organisations, academics, development partners, media executives and other stakeholders.
Governor Bago and Tompolo are expected to contribute practical perspectives to the discussion, particularly on state-level governance, community security and the protection of critical national assets.
Other dignitaries expected at the event include the Clerk to the National Assembly, Barr. Kamoru Ogunlana; Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr.; Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike; as well as representatives of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and development partners.
The event will also feature the presentation of the House of Representatives Press Corps Distinguished Parliamentarian Awards to two prominent Nigerians for their contributions to national development, security and public service.
Governor Bago is to be honoured for his contributions to rural development and public leadership, while Tompolo will receive the Award of Excellence in National Assets Protection for his contribution to the protection of Nigeria’s critical national assets.
Speaking on the significance of the lecture, Chairman of the House of Representatives Press Corps, Mr Gboyega Onadiran, said the annual event was designed to provide a platform for informed and constructive discussions on issues of national importance.
Onadiran said the choice of state police as the theme of this year’s edition was informed by the importance of the issue to Nigeria’s security architecture and the ongoing debate on the future of policing and federalism.
He added that the Press Corps also seeks to promote meaningful engagement among the legislature, security stakeholders, the media and the wider public on major national issues.
