Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu expects state policing to become operational before the end of 2026. If that timeline slips, he sees the first quarter of 2027 as the realistic start. He called the reform long overdue for the country. Policing in Nigeria currently rests with federal institutions, leaving individual states without their own forces. The governor gave no details on funding or recruitment for the planned service. Legal changes would also be required before states can run their own police. Debate over state policing has dragged on for years without a firm launch date. With his remarks, Lagos has at least put a concrete timeframe on the table.