Nigeria’s long-debated push for the establishment of state police moved significantly closer to reality on Thursday after both chambers of the National Assembly advanced constitutional amendments designed to decentralize policing and redefine security responsibilities between the federal and state governments.
In a major legislative milestone, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the constitutional amendment bill, while the Senate passed the proposal for second reading, signalling growing bipartisan support for one of Nigeria’s most consequential security reforms.
The proposed amendment seeks to remove policing from the Exclusive Legislative List and place it on the Concurrent Legislative List, enabling states to establish and operate their own police services alongside the Federal Police.
The development comes amid mounting concerns over insecurity across the country, including terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, communal violence, farmer-herder conflicts and organised criminal activities that have increasingly stretched the capacity of the centrally controlled Nigeria Police Force.
House passes bill with overwhelming support
The House of Representatives approved the legislation following a vote in which 289 of the 290 lawmakers present supported the proposal, while only one member voted against it.
Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, described the decision as a defining moment in Nigeria’s constitutional evolution, noting that security remains the foundation of national development.
“By passing this bill, the House has taken a decisive constitutional step towards creating a policing framework that is more responsive to local realities while remaining firmly anchored within the unity and sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Abbas said.
The amendment bill, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and 14 other lawmakers, contains 18 clauses and proposes extensive changes to Sections 214, 215 and 216 of the 1999 Constitution, among other provisions.
Although a brief disagreement emerged during deliberations when a lawmaker raised concerns about the timing of the document’s circulation, the House proceeded with voting after establishing the required constitutional quorum.
Senate backs proposal
In the Senate, lawmakers also advanced the proposal by passing it for second reading and referring it to the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution for further consideration.
Leading the debate, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele described state police as a critical response to Nigeria’s changing security landscape.
According to him, decentralized policing would strengthen intelligence gathering, improve response times and enhance community trust in law enforcement institutions.
“Security is most effective when it is local. People who understand the terrain, language, culture and peculiar security dynamics of a community are often best positioned to detect criminal activities before they escalate,” Bamidele said.
He argued that Nigeria’s current security challenges have exposed limitations within the centralized policing structure, making constitutional reforms increasingly necessary.
Key provisions of the proposed amendment
Under the proposed constitutional changes, Nigeria would operate a dual policing structure comprising Federal Police and State Police.
The National Assembly would retain authority to establish the framework and minimum operational standards for state police formations, while state governments would be empowered to create their own police services through legislation passed by their respective Houses of Assembly.
The bill stipulates that no state police formation can commence operations without meeting nationally prescribed standards and receiving certification as required by federal law.
The proposed legislation also clearly defines operational responsibilities.
Federal Police would continue to handle national security matters, interstate crimes, terrorism, cybercrime, organized criminal networks, border security and the protection of federal assets.
State Police, on the other hand, would focus primarily on internal security and law enforcement within their respective states.
The bill further provides safeguards against political abuse by creating State Police Service Commissions and maintaining federal oversight mechanisms through a proposed National Police Council and Federal Police Service Commission.
Governors’ powers balanced with oversight
One of the central concerns surrounding state police has been the possibility of political interference by state governors.
To address these concerns, the amendment introduces several accountability mechanisms.
State Commissioners of Police would be appointed by governors but only upon the advice of the National Police Council and subject to confirmation by State Houses of Assembly.
The proposal also allows state police commissioners to challenge directives from governors if they believe such instructions violate established policing standards or legal provisions.
In such instances, disputes would be referred to the National Police Council for final determination.
Similarly, removal of state police commissioners would require recommendations from the National Police Council and would be limited to specific grounds such as misconduct, breach of professional standards, conviction for fraud-related offences, bankruptcy or mental incapacity.
Security experts divided
The proposal has continued to attract mixed reactions from security stakeholders.
Retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Ali Amodu welcomed the development, describing state police as a long-overdue reform capable of improving security effectiveness nationwide.
He noted that many federal systems around the world successfully operate multi-tiered policing structures.
Retired Commissioner of Police Lawrence Alobi also expressed support but urged lawmakers to broaden consultations with experienced security professionals to ensure the framework is properly designed.
However, former Commissioner of Police Ladodo Rabiu cautioned against the proposal, citing concerns over funding, logistics and potential jurisdictional conflicts between federal and state police formations.
According to him, many states currently struggle to meet salary obligations and may face significant difficulties financing independent police services.
Arms spending rises amid insecurity
The renewed momentum behind state police comes as Nigeria’s security expenditure continues to rise.
Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the country’s arms import bill climbed to N32.5 billion in the first quarter of 2026, representing a 48 per cent increase from the N22 billion recorded during the same period in 2025.
Security analysts attribute the increase to intensified efforts by government authorities to confront multiple security threats across different parts of the country.
Reform enters decisive stage
With the House of Representatives already approving the amendment and the Senate advancing the proposal for further legislative scrutiny, the state police initiative has entered one of its most critical phases since first emerging as a major constitutional reform issue.
If eventually passed by the National Assembly and endorsed through the constitutional amendment process, the reform would mark one of the most far-reaching changes to Nigeria’s security architecture since the return to democratic rule in 1999.
For many supporters, the proposal offers a pathway toward more responsive and locally driven policing. For critics, however, concerns remain over funding, accountability and the potential politicization of state-controlled law enforcement agencies.
The coming stages of legislative review are expected to determine whether Nigeria finally embraces a decentralized policing system after years of national debate.
