By Okon Okon
Stakeholders on Friday in Abuja called for stronger intergovernmental collaboration as a critical strategy for addressing Nigeria’s security challenges and improving governance outcomes.
The call was made at the 2026 First Quarter Stakeholders and Citizen Engagement Forum, organised by the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that participants include heads of agencies and parastatals, representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), local government officials, civil society organisations, development partners, and the media.
In his opening remarks, Dr Maduka Onwusoro, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, described the engagement as a key platform for strengthening participatory governance.
Also speaking, Prof. Becky Aliegba of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, said security and effective governance remained central to Nigeria’s stability, development, and national cohesion.
Aliegba spoke on the theme, “Strengthening Intergovernmental Collaboration for State Policing, Community Development and Effective Governance”.
She said persistent challenges such as insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, farmer-herder conflicts, separatist agitations, oil theft and pipeline vandalism were major challenges disrupting economic activities in the country.
She also identified the displacement of communities from their ancestral homes as a factor weakening institutions.
According to her, while efforts have been made by the Nigerian state to address these issues, weak coordination among federal, state and local governments has hindered effective responses.
She linked her position to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, noting that improved security, economic growth and social development were key to national transformation.
Aliegba said that Nigeria’s highly centralised policing structure limited the responsiveness of sub-national governments to local security challenges, in spite of the country’s federal system.
She added that state and local governments often lacked the authority, resources and coordination mechanisms to effectively address security and development issues.
The don cited the emergence of regional security outfits such as Amotekun and Ebube Agu as evidence of growing demand for decentralised policing, but noted that the absence of a clear legal and institutional framework limited their effectiveness.
She argued that Nigeria’s size, population and socio-cultural diversity made a strong case for decentralising security through state policing.
According to her, such a system will enhance intelligence gathering, enable quicker response to threats and improve public trust.
“Security is not only about law enforcement but also about strengthening institutions, promoting accountability and fostering inclusive development.”
Aliegba outlined measures to strengthen intergovernmental collaboration to include a clear constitutional framework, joint security structures, integrated communication and intelligence sharing systems, as well as funding and accountability mechanisms.
She also stressed the link between security and community development, noting that insecurity discouraged investment, disrupted livelihoods and weakened social cohesion, while underdevelopment fuelled crime and instability.
She advocated integrated approaches combining security interventions with employment, education and social welfare programmes to address root causes of insecurity.
On governance, she said effective leadership must be accountable, inclusive and responsive, adding that collaboration among all tiers of government would reduce policy fragmentation and improve service delivery.
Aliegba further highlighted the roles of key stakeholders, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Department of State Services, in strengthening intelligence sharing, protecting critical infrastructure and supporting community-based initiatives.
She also underscored the importance of local governments and civil society organisations in mobilising grassroots participation and promoting accountability.
She however, identified challenges to effective collaboration to include constitutional ambiguities, political rivalry, resource competition and capacity gaps among government institutions.
She expressed optimism that with strong political will, legal reforms and sustained capacity building, Nigeria could build a more coordinated and effective governance system.
Similarly, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, represented by Maj.-Gen. Aminu Umar, expressed support for state policing, describing community-based policing as essential for maintaining order.
Shaibu emphasised that policing worked best in a law-abiding society, noting that effective collaboration between communities and law enforcement agencies was critical to national security.
He commended the presentation, describing it as a “masterpiece”, and urged stakeholders to take its recommendations seriously.
Other speakers emphasised the need to engage youths in governance to curb social vices.
Responding, the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Zaphaniah Jisalo, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transparency, inclusivity and citizen participation in governance.
Jisalo, represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry, said that the forum aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to deepen transparency and accountability under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to him, the engagement reflects government’s resolve to build a governance system that is responsive and accountable to the needs of Nigerians.
He described the theme of the forum as timely and strategic, stressing the need for stronger synergy among all tiers of government in addressing national challenges.
He noted that debates on state policing required constructive dialogue, knowledge sharing and consensus-building within the framework of the Constitution.
He also highlighted community development as a key driver of national progress, stressing the need to strengthen grassroots institutions and ensure equitable distribution of development initiatives.
“It is through cooperation, coordination and mutual respect that we can achieve efficient service delivery, strengthen institutions and build public trust,” he said.
The minister urged participants to contribute meaningful insights, noting that their recommendations would help shape policies and strategies for improved governance.
He expressed confidence that the engagement would produce practical outcomes to strengthen governance and development nationwide.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Deborah Coker
