Information minister Mohammed Idris says President Bola Tinubu is backing the establishment of state police because he wants police to move closer to the people.

Mr Idris said this on Thursday when a delegation from the Centre for Crisis Communication, led by its chairman, Chris Olukolade, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

According to Mr Idris, the president is determined to make the reform a reality once the necessary legal framework is in place.

The minister explained that decentralised policing had become imperative in addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

“It is the desire of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that we have State Police as soon as it is practicable in this country. The time has indeed come for that,” he said.

The minister noted that strengthening the country’s internal security structure must go hand in hand with strengthening national communication systems.

He said that this had become necessary, particularly in an era where crises were shaped not only by events but also by the rapid spread of information.

The minister welcomed the centre’s proposals, including the establishment of a National Crisis Communication Hub and a Crisis Communication Performance Index.

Mr Idris described them as initiatives that aligned closely with the Ministry of Information and National Orientation’s core mandate. He assured the delegation that the ministry would carefully review the report of the November 2025 National Symposium on Digital Innovation and Crisis Communication and explore how its recommendations could complement ongoing Federal Government reforms.

He further emphasised that while artificial intelligence, social media and other digital tools were indispensable in modern communication, they must be deployed responsibly, honestly and patriotically, balancing freedom of expression with national interest and public trust.

Mr Olukolade expressed appreciation to the minister for his support and encouragement toward advancing crisis communication reforms in Nigeria.

(NAN)