ABUJA — The National Assembly is developing a funding framework for the proposed establishment of state police, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu has said. Kalu said financing should not become an obstacle to implementing the proposed constitutional amendment if it is approved. The discussion comes amid growing debate over whether state governments would have the financial capacity to establish and sustain independent police services. State police has become one of the major issues in Nigeria's security and constitutional reform discussions. Supporters argue that state-based policing could improve local intelligence and allow security agencies to respond more quickly to threats. Critics have raised concerns about political interference, accountability and the possibility that state police could be used against political opponents or vulnerable communities. Funding is another major question. Establishing police services requires substantial resources for personnel, training, equipment, vehicles, communications and operational facilities. State governments have different levels of revenue and financial capacity, meaning a uniform funding model could be difficult to implement. The National Assembly's work on a funding framework is therefore important to the feasibility of the proposal. A workable system would need to address who pays for personnel and equipment, how funds are distributed and how financial oversight is maintained. It would also need safeguards to ensure that police officers can perform their duties professionally. The debate over state police is connected to Nigeria's wider security challenges. The country faces different forms of insecurity across its regions, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence and other criminal activity. Local authorities often argue that security agencies based outside a community may not have sufficient knowledge of local conditions. State police could potentially improve access to local information and community relationships. However, the success of such a system would depend heavily on training and accountability. Police officers would need clear rules governing their conduct and mechanisms for citizens to report abuse. Independent oversight would also be important. Funding arrangements could influence the independence of state police. If state police forces depend entirely on state governors for operational resources, concerns about political control could increase. A funding framework would therefore need to balance state responsibility with institutional safeguards. Recruitment is another issue. States would need qualified personnel who understand policing standards and community relations. Training institutions would have to prepare officers for modern law enforcement, including investigation, evidence handling, digital crime and human rights. Coordination with the Nigeria Police Force and other national security agencies would also be necessary. Criminal networks do not stop at state borders, so state police forces would need systems for sharing intelligence and coordinating operations. The National Assembly's constitutional reform process will determine the legal structure under which state police could operate. Public consultation and careful drafting will be important because policing affects fundamental rights and public safety. The funding question cannot be separated from these broader institutional issues. If states are given responsibility without sufficient resources, the system may become ineffective. If states receive resources without strong oversight, accountability concerns may increase. A successful model must therefore combine adequate funding with professional standards and independent safeguards. Kalu's comments indicate that lawmakers recognise financing as one of the central questions surrounding the proposal. As constitutional reform discussions continue, Nigerians will need clarity about how state police would be established, financed and supervised. The final framework will determine whether the proposal can strengthen local security while protecting citizens from political abuse.