Vice President Shettima presides over NEC meeting

By Kunle Sanni –

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday presided over a meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) — the first since President Bola Tinubu renewed calls for the establishment of state police as part of efforts to address worsening insecurity.

The meeting, which began around 11:30 a.m. at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja, went into a closed-door session following opening prayers led by Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

NEC, a constitutional advisory body chaired by the vice president, brings together the 36 state governors, the Central Bank Governor, and key ministers. While its primary mandate is to coordinate economic policy, the council often deliberates on broader governance issues.

The session comes just days after President Tinubu, during a meeting with prominent citizens from Katsina State, announced that he was reviewing Nigeria’s security architecture with the intention of establishing state police.

“I am reviewing all aspects of security; I have to create a state police,” Tinubu told the delegation at the State House.

Calls for state police have long been divisive in Nigeria. Proponents argue it would enhance local security responses, while critics warn it could be misused by governors for political purposes.

Thursday’s NEC meeting marks the first formal opportunity for state governors to deliberate on the president’s remarks — heightening expectations that the issue could feature prominently in their discussions.