The Nigerian House of Representatives has taken a significant step towards decentralizing the country's policing system by transmitting the State Police Bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent. The bill was approved by 29 out of 36 state houses of assembly, with the Deputy Speaker of the House, Benjamin Kalu, describing the development as a major milestone. This move aims to amend the Constitution to allow state governments to establish and manage their own police forces alongside the Nigeria Police Force.
According to Deputy Speaker Kalu, the Clerk to the National Assembly has forwarded the bill to President Tinubu for assent, bringing the proposed reform closer to implementation. The proposed reform seeks to address concerns about Nigeria's centralized policing structure, which critics argue limits the ability of security agencies to respond effectively to local security challenges. The bill's passage is seen as a significant step towards addressing these concerns.
The State Police Bill aims to give state governments greater responsibility for maintaining law and order within their jurisdictions, while the Federal Government will retain the Nigeria Police Force. Supporters of state police argue that decentralizing the system will improve intelligence gathering and strengthen community-based security operations. This move is expected to enhance the country's security architecture.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele disclosed that 30 state houses of assembly have approved the amendment, with six more states required to meet the constitutional threshold of two-thirds approval. The six legislatures that have approved the amendment are Kano, Oyo, Abia, Benue, Cross River, and Niger. Bamidele emphasized that the National Assembly has completed its part of the process and transmitted the constitutional alteration to all 36 state legislatures.
The Senate had given state assemblies until November 15, 2026, to communicate their decisions on the bill. Of the six outstanding assemblies, only Kano has signaled movement, with Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau stating that the state had dispatched its response. The amendment would provide state governments with the legal framework to establish and operate their own police services, ending the exclusive hold of a centralized force on policing.
The development marks a significant milestone in efforts to reform Nigeria's policing system. Critics of the current system argue that it is inadequate for addressing the country's complex security challenges. The proposed reform is seen as a step towards addressing these challenges and improving the overall security situation in the country.
With the bill now awaiting President Tinubu's assent, Nigerians await the outcome of this significant reform. If signed into law, the State Police Bill will give state governments the autonomy to establish and manage their own police forces, potentially transforming the country's security landscape. The implementation of the bill will be closely watched by stakeholders and the general public.
Key points
- The State Police Bill has been transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent after approval by 29 state houses of assembly.
- The proposed reform aims to decentralize Nigeria's policing system, giving state governments greater responsibility for maintaining law and order.
- The bill's implementation is expected to improve intelligence gathering and strengthen community-based security operations.
