The late former Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has been remembered for his advocacy for state police and decentralised security, with his successor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, saying the ideas continue to influence Nigeria’s national policy discussions.
Aiyedatiwa made the remarks at a colloquium in Ibadan organised to commemorate Akeredolu’s 70th posthumous birthday, where political leaders and other stakeholders examined the future of policing and security governance in Nigeria.
The event, themed “Fundamentals and Governance of State Policing: Towards a New Architecture for National Security in Nigeria,” focused on the challenges and possibilities of restructuring the country’s security system.
Aiyedatiwa described Akeredolu, whom he affectionately called “My Oga,” as a public servant whose legal career, political leadership and commitment to federalism shaped his approach to national issues.
Akeredolu served as Attorney-General of Ondo State, President of the Nigerian Bar Association and governor of Ondo State, while also holding leadership positions within the South-West and Southern Nigeria governors’ forums.
According to Aiyedatiwa, the late governor’s advocacy for state police was rooted in the belief that security arrangements should respond more effectively to local realities and the needs of communities.
He recalled that Akeredolu and other South-West governors established the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, amid growing concerns about insecurity in the region.
The security outfit was established to strengthen regional cooperation and provide additional support in addressing threats, including criminal activities affecting rural communities and farmers.
Aiyedatiwa said Amotekun demonstrated the importance of local intelligence, community participation and cooperation between security organisations in responding to security challenges.
He also referred to a recent operation in Ondo State’s forests involving Amotekun, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies against suspected Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists.
The governor said the operation illustrated the potential value of coordination between locally informed security personnel and established national agencies.
He added that Akeredolu’s advocacy had helped move discussions about state police beyond regional conversations and into wider national policy and constitutional debates.
However, Aiyedatiwa stressed that establishing state police would require effective safeguards, including credible recruitment procedures, proper vetting, professional training and accountability mechanisms.
He said public confidence would depend on ensuring that decentralised policing protected citizens and operated responsibly rather than becoming vulnerable to political interference or abuse.
The governor also pledged to continue projects initiated by Akeredolu, particularly road projects discussed during executive council meetings, saying his administration remained committed to completing outstanding work.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, who delivered the keynote address, said Nigeria needed an additional 554,353 police personnel to meet the United Nations-recommended police-to-population ratio.
Abiodun, who chairs the Nigeria Governors’ Forum committee on state police, called for comprehensive reforms to ensure that any decentralised policing system would be effective, sustainable and accountable.
He argued that security should be considered alongside economic development, noting that safer communities could support business activity, investment and regional prosperity.
Abiodun also said Akeredolu’s efforts extended beyond policing, recalling his role in advancing regional cooperation and supporting the groundwork for the South-West Development Commission.
Former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi also paid tribute to Akeredolu, describing him as a courageous advocate for vulnerable people who was willing to speak out on difficult national questions.
Fayemi recalled their political engagements and Akeredolu’s participation in discussions about governance, justice and the rotation of presidential power, including his advocacy for the presidency to move to the South.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented at the event by Secretary to the State Government Salu Hundeyin, described Akeredolu as a leader who regarded public office as a responsibility rather than a privilege.
Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji similarly praised Akeredolu’s response to insecurity, identifying his efforts as an important part of the process that led to the establishment of Amotekun.
The commemorative gathering therefore served not only as a tribute to Akeredolu’s life but also as a platform for discussing the institutional arrangements needed to address Nigeria’s continuing security concerns.
As debate over state police continues, the central issues remain how the system would be funded, trained, supervised and held accountable, alongside the constitutional changes and safeguards required for its implementation.