Vice President Kashim Shettima presided over a meeting of the National Economic Council on Thursday, marking the first gathering of the council since President Bola Tinubu renewed calls for the creation of state police to tackle worsening insecurity in Nigeria.

The meeting began at about 11:30 am local time at the State House in Abuja, with participants entering a closed-door session after opening prayers by the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori.

The NEC, a constitutional advisory body chaired by the Vice President and comprising the 36 state governors, the Central Bank Governor, and key ministers, meets monthly to coordinate economic policy but often deliberates on wider governance challenges.

At a meeting with a delegation of eminent citizens of Katsina State, Tinubu renewed calls for the creation of state-level policing, saying, “I am reviewing all the aspects of security; I have to create a state police.”

State policing has been a contentious issue in Nigeria, where violent crime, kidnapping, and insurgencies have stretched national security forces. Past attempts to decentralize policing have stalled over fears of political abuse by governors.

Thursday’s NEC session marks the first time governors are meeting formally since the President’s remarks, raising expectations that the issue could surface.

The meeting was still ongoing at the time of filing this report, and it remains to be seen whether the creation of state police will be a topic of discussion.