PERCEPTIONS OF STATE POLICING AMONG TERTIARY STUDENTS IN ILORIN: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

State policing has become a prominent topic in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to reform law enforcement and address security challenges. This study, therefore, investigated how students in some selected Nigerian tertiary institutions perceived state policing, with an emphasis on their knowledge of the concept, its efficiency in upholding law and order, and their reservations about its implementation. 32 undergraduate students majoring in criminology and security studies at the University of Ilorin and Kwara State Polytechnic Ilorin provided qualitative data through structured interviews. Analysis of the data showed that responses from 16 participants reached topic saturation. Thematic analysis revealed that students expressed worries over political meddling, corruption, and possible violations of human rights, even as the majority expressed cautious optimism about the ability of state policing to increase security. The paper stressed the necessity of addressing these challenges and offers recommendations for the effective implementation of state policing. Keywords: Criminology, Nigeria, police, policing, state policing, undergraduate students.