The Oyo State House of Assembly has received a proposed constitutional amendment to establish State Police Services for legislative consideration. The bill, transmitted by the Clerk of the National Assembly, seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide a framework for states to establish their own police services while retaining the Nigeria Police Force as the federal police service. This move follows the passage of the Executive Bill by the Senate on June 24, 2026, and the House of Representatives on July 23, 2026.
The transmission of the bill to the Oyo State House of Assembly was made pursuant to Section 9(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended. The bill aims to provide a constitutional framework for states wishing to establish their own police services. If passed, it will enable states to have more control over policing and security within their jurisdictions.
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly will also begin consideration of the State Police Bill when lawmakers resume plenary on September 28, 2026. Speaker of the Assembly, Danladi Jatau, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Lafia. According to Jatau, the bill was received from the Clerk of the National Assembly on September 18, 2026.
The Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly assured that the bill would receive the required legislative attention before further action was taken. The lawmakers will scrutinize the proposed legislation and take necessary legislative steps after resuming plenary. This development indicates that the bill will be thoroughly examined and debated before a decision is made.
The proposed constitutional amendment has been a long-standing issue in Nigeria, with many advocating for the establishment of state police services to address the country's security challenges. The bill's passage in the Senate and House of Representatives marks a significant step towards achieving this goal. If passed by the state assemblies, it could lead to a significant overhaul of the country's policing system.
The establishment of State Police Services is expected to enhance security and reduce crime rates in states that choose to establish their own police services. It will also enable states to have more control over policing and security within their jurisdictions, allowing for more effective response to local security challenges.
The Oyo State House of Assembly and the Nasarawa State House of Assembly will play crucial roles in determining the fate of the bill in their respective states. If passed, the bill will pave the way for other states to consider establishing their own police services, potentially leading to a more decentralized policing system in Nigeria.
Key points
- The proposed constitutional amendment seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide a framework for states to establish their own police services.
- The bill was transmitted to the Oyo State House of Assembly by the Clerk of the National Assembly, pursuant to Section 9(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.
- The Nasarawa State House of Assembly will begin consideration of the State Police Bill on September 28, 2026.
