Conflictual Nature of Federalism and Police Centralization

Authors: Fortunetus Izuchukwu Oguwuike & Joseph Amechi Nwodo

Volume: 6 | Issue: 1 | Year: 2025

Abstract

The Nigerian government notwithstanding the fact it operates under a federal system of government, Nigeria maintains a highly centralized police structure that places all operational, administrative, and disciplinary control of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) under the federal government. This centralization has resulted in persistent and suffocative conflicts, particularly between the federal and state governments, over issues of security control. The study employed secondary sources of data. Findings from the study indicated a growing demand for reform among stakeholders and demonstrated that decentralized policing is both feasible and potentially beneficial within Nigeria’s federal system. The paper recommended among other things, the constitutional amendment to facilitate decentralization of policing and creation of state police atAfrican Journal of Developmental Integrity and Peace Studies subnational levels of governance and an oversight review body to effectively guarantee speedy response.