The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police across Nigeria, a major step in the country’s long-running efforts to decentralise policing and strengthen internal security.
The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for the Establishment of State Police and for Related Matters (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026,” was approved during consideration by the Committee of the Whole, presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
The proposal received overwhelming support from lawmakers after the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Benjamin Kalu, presented the report and urged members to back the measure, citing the need for a more effective and localised approach to tackling Nigeria’s security challenges.
Voting was conducted manually, with members indicating their positions by raising their hands. At the end of the exercise, 289 lawmakers voted in favour of the bill, one member abstained, and none voted against it.
The proposed amendment seeks to overhaul Nigeria’s policing structure by creating separate Federal and State Police formations. It amends Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution to formally establish both policing systems, while empowering the National Assembly to determine the structure, administration, and powers of the Federal Police and set minimum standards for state police operations.
Under the bill, no state police force can begin operations unless it is established through legislation passed by the relevant State House of Assembly and certified as meeting national standards prescribed by the National Assembly. Until such state police formations become operational, the Federal Police will continue to exercise policing powers within those states.
The legislation also seeks to safeguard the autonomy of state police forces by restricting federal intervention in state security matters. Under the proposed framework, the Federal Police may only intervene when there is a complete breakdown of law and order, at the request of a governor, or when a state police force is unable to function due to administrative, financial, or operational difficulties.
The amendment further introduces changes to the appointment and command structure of the police. It proposes that the Inspector-General of Police be appointed by the President on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council from among serving Federal Police officers, subject to confirmation by the National Assembly.
Similarly, State Commissioners of Police would be appointed by governors on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council from among serving officers of the State Police, subject to confirmation by their respective State Houses of Assembly.
Governors would also be empowered to issue lawful directives to State Commissioners of Police on matters relating to public safety and the maintenance of law and order. However, where a commissioner considers such directives unlawful or inconsistent with policing standards, the matter may be referred to the Nigeria Police Council for a final decision.
The bill also proposes amendments to Section 84 of the Constitution by replacing references to the National Police Council and the Federal Police Service Commission with the Nigeria Police Council and the Police Service Commission.
The passage of the bill by the House marks one of the most significant security reform efforts since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999. It is expected to reignite national discussions on funding, accountability, operational control, and safeguards against the misuse of state-controlled police formations.
Following its approval by the House, the bill will proceed to the Senate for concurrence. It must also secure the endorsement of at least two-thirds of the State Houses of Assembly and receive presidential assent before becoming part of the Constitution.
If eventually enacted, the legislation is expected to usher in a new era of multi-layered policing and reshape Nigeria’s strategy for combating terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes through a more localised security framework. :::
