The debate over the proposed establishment of state police will take centre stage in Abuja on Tuesday as the House of Representatives Press Corps brings together prominent voices from politics, security, legislation and governance.

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago; founder of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo; former House Minority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu; and Secretary of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, Nnadubem Moghalu, are among those expected at the event.

The gathering forms part of the second annual Distinguished Parliamentarian Lecture and Awards organised by the House Press Corps.

It comes as the constitutional amendment Bill seeking to establish State Police Services is before the 36 state Houses of Assembly for consideration.

The Press Corps has chosen “The Imperative for State Police: Securing Communities, Strengthening Federalism” as the theme of the lecture.

Moghalu, who is also the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Planning and Research, will deliver the lead paper titled “State Police, Community Security and the Future of Federalism in Nigeria.”

His presentation is expected to examine the proposed policing structure and its implications for community security, federalism and coordination between state and federal security institutions.

The discussions will also examine practical questions around funding, recruitment, training, operational independence, accountability and oversight.

Safeguards against possible abuse of the proposed system are also expected to feature in the deliberations.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, will serve as Chief Host and is expected to present the position of the 10th House on state police and other security-related legislation before the National Assembly.

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu is also expected at the event.

Bago and Tompolo are expected to bring practical perspectives to the conversation, particularly on state-level governance, community security and the protection of critical national assets.

Other expected participants include Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana; Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Akin Rotimi Jr.; and Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council, Grace Ike.

Representatives of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, Nigerian Communications Commission and development partners are also expected.

The programme will equally feature the presentation of the House of Representatives Press Corps Distinguished Parliamentarian Awards.

Bago will receive an award for his contributions to rural development and public leadership, while Tompolo will receive the Award of Excellence in National Assets Protection.
Chairman of the House of Representatives Press Corps, Gboyega Onadiran, said the annual lecture was created to provide a platform for informed discussion on issues of national importance.

According to Onadiran, the choice of state police reflects the importance of the proposed reform to Nigeria’s security architecture and the wider debate over policing and federalism.

He added that the Press Corps also seeks to deepen engagement among lawmakers, security stakeholders, the media and the wider public.

The lecture is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the National Assembly Library Auditorium, Abuja, on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.