This endorsement comes in contrast to the stance of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, who has previously opposed the establishment of state police. In April, during a national dialogue on state policing organized by the House of Representatives in Abuja, Egbetokun stated that Nigeria is not yet mature enough for state policing. The dialogue, themed ‘Pathways to Peace: Reimagining Policing in Nigeria,’ saw Egbetokun, represented by Assistant Inspector-General of Police Ben Okolo, argue against the readiness for state-controlled police forces.

"The leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) believes that Nigeria is not yet mature and ready for the establishment of state-controlled police," Egbetokun asserted. He also warned that state governors might misuse state police for political or personal gain, potentially leading to human rights abuses and conflicts of jurisdiction.