The House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police across Nigeria, while the Senate has also passed the proposal for second reading, signaling growing legislative support for decentralizing the country’s policing system.
The bill received the backing of 289 out of 290 lawmakers present during voting in the House, with only one member opposing the measure. The proposal seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to allow states establish and operate their own police services alongside the Federal Police.
Lawmakers supporting the bill argued that Nigeria’s centralized policing structure has struggled to address rising insecurity, including banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, communal clashes, and other criminal activities. They maintained that locally recruited officers would possess better knowledge of their communities and respond more effectively to security threats.
While concerns have been raised about the potential misuse of state police by governors for political purposes, supporters insisted that constitutional safeguards included in the proposed amendments would prevent abuse and ensure accountability.
At the Senate, the bill titled Establishment of State Police and for Related Matters (Sixth Alteration), 2026 (SB. 794), sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, received broad support from senators across party lines. Senate President Godswill Akpabio subsequently referred it to the Senate Constitution Review Committee chaired by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau for further consideration.
Under the proposed amendment, two separate police structures would be constitutionally recognized: the Federal Police and State Police. States would be required to enact laws establishing their police services and meet nationally prescribed standards before commencing operations.
The bill outlines clear divisions of responsibility between federal and state policing authorities. State Police would handle internal security matters within their jurisdictions, while the Federal Police would retain responsibility for national security and federal offences. Federal intervention in state policing would only occur under specific circumstances, including a breakdown of law and order, requests from governors, or operational failure of a state police service.
The proposed framework also establishes oversight mechanisms, including a restructured National Police Council and State Police Service Commissions. These bodies would oversee appointments, discipline, standards, training, and accountability for both federal and state police institutions.
Funding provisions contained in the bill empower the Federal Government to provide grants and financial assistance to state police services upon recommendation by the National Police Council and approval by the National Assembly.
Before becoming law, the constitutional amendment must secure final approval from both chambers of the National Assembly, obtain endorsement from at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, and receive presidential assent.
If eventually enacted, the legislation would represent one of the most significant security reforms in Nigeria’s democratic history and fundamentally alter the country’s policing structure.
