The Nigerian National Assembly has set a December 2026 deadline to complete the legislative steps required to establish state police, following the approval of the constitutional amendment bill by at least 30 state Houses of Assembly. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele announced this development, stating that the next phase of the reform involves securing the required legislative resolution and presidential assent.
According to Bamidele, the approvals from the state Houses of Assembly have satisfied the constitutional threshold for altering the 1999 Constitution, as amended. This development marks a significant step towards decentralizing Nigeria's security architecture, after over 15 years of unsuccessful attempts to establish state police through constitutional reform.
Bamidele emphasized that the proposed system would enable states to develop policing arrangements better suited to local needs, allowing for a more effective response to community security concerns. He clarified that state police would not lead to the creation of state armies or weaken the Federal Government, but rather strengthen Nigeria's federation through state-led, community-based policing.
The Senate Leader disclosed that lawmakers would collate reports from state legislatures, consider their positions, and pass the required resolution by a simple majority in both chambers. He expressed confidence that the National Assembly would conclude all legislative stages, including consideration of reports, passage of resolution, and transmission for presidential assent, on or before December 2026.
Bamidele highlighted the importance of effective implementation, adequate funding, proper administration, and regular monitoring in achieving the objectives of the proposed legislation. He argued that good governance requires good laws, but good laws alone do not guarantee good governance, stressing that the ultimate measure of legislative performance should be the difference laws make in the lives of citizens.
During his lecture at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Bamidele raised questions about how legislative performance should be assessed, suggesting that the number of laws passed does not necessarily translate into better governance. He cited several laws passed by the 10th National Assembly, including the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2024, and the Electoral Act, 2026.
Bamidele also called for stronger collaboration between NIPSS and the National Assembly, emphasizing that the institute's multidisciplinary approach could help lawmakers develop evidence-based policies and improve legislative foresight. The lecture was attended by several notable figures, including Senator Diket Plang and NIPSS Director-General, Professor Ayo Omotayo.
Key points
- The Nigerian National Assembly aims to complete state police reform by December 2026.
- 30 state Houses of Assembly have approved the constitutional amendment bill.
- The proposed state police system is expected to strengthen Nigeria's federation through state-led, community-based policing.
