Federal Gov’t Pushes State Policing, Stronger Intergovernmental Ties At Forum

The federal government has intensified calls for stronger collaboration among all tiers of government to address Nigeria’s growing security and governance challenges, with renewed emphasis on state policing and grassroots development.

Speaking at the first quarter stakeholders and citizens’ engagement session in Abuja, the permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Dr. Onwusoro Maduka Ihemelandu, said enhanced cooperation across federal, state and local governments remained critical to effective service delivery and national stability.

The engagement brought together government officials, civil society groups, development partners and representatives of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), as part of efforts to deepen citizen participation in governance.

Ihemelandu said the forum aligned with the directive of President Bola Tinubu to promote transparency, inclusivity and accountability under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to him, the theme of the session, “Strengthening Intergovernmental Collaboration for State Policing, Community Development and Effective Governance,” reflects the urgency of building synergy among stakeholders to tackle complex national issues, particularly security.

He noted that debates around state policing have continued to dominate national discourse, stressing that the forum provides a platform for constructive dialogue and consensus-building on strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture within constitutional limits.

The permanent secretary also highlighted the importance of community development, describing it as central to sustainable national growth. He said empowering local communities and ensuring equitable distribution of development initiatives are key to achieving lasting impact.

He added that the ministry remains committed to fostering collaboration across all levels of government to drive inclusive development and improve governance outcomes nationwide.

“Issues of governance today are interconnected and cannot be addressed in isolation. Cooperation, coordination and mutual respect among institutions are essential to building trust and delivering results for citizens,” he said.