The Nigerian presidency has made significant progress in its efforts to establish state police, a development aimed at addressing the country's escalating insecurity. On June 10, 2026, the House of Representatives passed its version of the bill, while the Senate followed suit on June 24, 2026. However, the two versions had differences, necessitating consideration by a Conference Committee. The harmonized bill was subsequently transmitted to states on September 16, 2026.
A key divergence between the two versions lies in the proposed Section 214, with the Senate introducing 15 new sub-clauses and the House introducing seven. Additionally, the Senate and House have different titles and references to the head of a state police force. The Senate refers to the head as the "Commander," while the House refers to them as the "Commissioner of Police of a State." These differences highlight the complexities in the bill's development.
The bill has been transmitted to state legislators for their input, with multiple state Houses of Assembly currently considering it. Columnist Magnus Onyibe, in a recent article, noted that his book anticipated the legislative tussle and proposed a regional unveiling to stimulate public debate on the bill. The unveiling events, supported by the Nigerian Governors' Forum and the Conference of Speakers of Nigeria, aim to educate Nigerians about the proposed policing system and gather their input.
The need for public engagement and consultation has been a criticism of the process so far. While the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill set up a website for memoranda submission, Onyibe's proposal seeks to bridge the gap between policymakers and the public. The events, scheduled to take place in one state capital in each geopolitical zone, will provide a platform for dialogue and interaction with the masses.
Some opposition politicians have argued that the timing of the state police bill is wrong, citing concerns about its potential use for political manipulation. However, with the ruling APC in control of 32 of the 36 states, the party's platform gives APC governors more than the two-thirds majority required by the constitution to push the bill through. The opposition's resistance to state policing appears to have diminished, as addressing insecurity has become a priority for all Nigerians.
The Clerk of the National Assembly has recommended a 30-day period for state legislators to conclude their work on the bill. While this deadline is nominal and lacks constitutional backing, the APC's majority at both national and state levels increases the likelihood of the bill's passage. The presidency's efforts to establish state police have been ongoing since 1999, and the current progress suggests that the reform is unstoppable.
As the state police bill progresses, Nigerians are eagerly awaiting its implementation. The proposed policing system aims to address the country's escalating insecurity, which has been a concern for over a decade. With the support of key stakeholders, including the Nigerian Governors' Forum and the Conference of Speakers of Nigeria, the bill's passage and implementation are expected to have a significant impact on Nigeria's security landscape.
Key points
- The Nigerian presidency has made significant progress in its efforts to establish state police, with the harmonized bill transmitted to states on September 16, 2026.
- The bill's development has been marked by differences between the House and Senate versions, with the Senate introducing 15 new sub-clauses and the House introducing seven.
- The proposed policing system aims to address Nigeria's escalating insecurity, which has been a concern for over a decade.
