In a significant development, 30 State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria have endorsed the proposed constitutional amendment for state police, bringing the country closer to decentralised policing. This move is expected to have far-reaching implications for national security, federalism, and the protection of lives and property. The endorsement was announced by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele. The proposed reform aims to introduce a policing arrangement that allows state governments to establish their own police services alongside the existing federal structure.
The decades-long debate over the establishment of state police appears to be approaching a decisive turning point. The development represents a significant milestone in efforts to decentralise the country's security architecture. Nigeria has been grappling with banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, communal conflicts, and other violent crimes. The proposed reform is expected to address these security challenges. The Senate Leader's announcement has generated excitement among Nigerians, but it is essential to understand the two separate but interconnected initiatives involved in the reform.
The Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, seeks to provide constitutional authority for state police, while the proposed National Policing Bill, 2026, will establish the operational, administrative, and regulatory framework. The former provides the constitutional foundation, while the latter prescribes the institutional arrangements, standards, and safeguards required to implement the reform. This distinction is crucial because approval of the constitutional amendment does not automatically authorise governors to recruit police officers, establish commands, or commence independent policing operations.
Advocates of state police argue that Nigeria's centralised policing structure has become inadequate for a federation of its size, population, and security complexities. They maintain that a single national police organisation cannot always respond effectively to the peculiar security challenges confronting communities across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. State governments, being closer to their communities, are considered better positioned to identify local threats, understand the terrain, communicate in indigenous languages, and develop intelligence networks capable of preventing criminal activities.
However, opponents of state police fear that governors could turn state police formations into instruments of political intimidation, persecution of opponents, and suppression of dissent. Others question the financial capacity of several states to maintain properly equipped and professionally trained police organisations. Despite these concerns, the National Assembly has taken the process considerably further. The Senate passed the State Police Constitution Alteration Bill on June 24, 2026, while the House of Representatives approved it on July 23.
Following the passage by both chambers, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, transmitted the proposal to the 36 State Houses of Assembly on September 16 for consideration and approval. The endorsement by 30 State Houses of Assembly is a significant milestone in the process. However, the implementation of state police will depend on the approval of the constitutional amendment and the proposed National Policing Bill. The financial and operational challenges associated with establishing state police will also need to be addressed.
The implementation of state police in Nigeria will require careful planning and execution. The country will need to address concerns about the potential misuse of state police and ensure that they are properly equipped and trained. The National Assembly will need to work with state governments to develop a framework for the establishment and operation of state police. The success of state police will depend on the ability of state governments to work together with the federal government to address the country's security challenges.
Key points
- The endorsement by 30 State Houses of Assembly is a significant milestone in Nigeria's move towards decentralised policing.
- The proposed reform aims to introduce a policing arrangement that allows state governments to establish their own police services alongside the existing federal structure.
- The implementation of state police will depend on the approval of the constitutional amendment and the proposed National Policing Bill.
