The House of Representatives is set to host a crucial debate on the state police proposal, with top Nigerian leaders contributing to the discussion. Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, Founder and Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd., High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and Secretary of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, Nnabubem Moghalu, are among those scheduled to speak at the event. The debate comes as the National Assembly has already passed the state police bill and transmitted it to state assemblies for consideration.
The state police bill has been passed by several state assemblies, including Edo and Oyo. The Oyo legislature passed the bill after clause-by-clause consideration, following a letter from the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, transmitting the bill to the Oyo Assembly for consideration and approval. The bill was passed by the Senate on June 24, 2026, and the House of Representatives on July 23, 2026. The National Assembly has urged state legislatures to give the bill expeditious consideration to facilitate the conclusion of the constitutional alteration process.
The proposed reform of the police aims to strengthen security by creating a more decentralized policing system capable of responding effectively to security threats and challenges peculiar to individual communities. The House of Representatives Press Corps has organized a lecture with the theme: “The Imperative for State Police: Securing Communities, Strengthening Federalism.” Moghalu will deliver a lecture entitled “State Police, Community Security and the Future of Federalism in Nigeria,” examining the proposed policing framework and its implications for community security, federalism, and the relationship between state and federal security institutions.
The debate will also touch on critical implementation issues, including funding, recruitment, training, operational independence, accountability, oversight, and safeguards against abuse. House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen will speak on the position of the House on state police and other security-related legislation before the National Assembly. The event comes at a significant point in Nigeria’s security and constitutional reform process, with the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish State Police Services now before the 36 State Houses of Assembly for consideration.
Several state assemblies, including Kano, Delta, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Kwara, Kaduna, and Bauchi, are still working on the bill. The Kano State Assembly has circulated copies of the bill to all members for in-depth study, analysis, and input where necessary. The bill will be scheduled for a second reading on October 12, 2026, for further deliberation and approval. Kano State Speaker Jibril Isma’il Falgore said the state is fully committed to confronting security challenges head-on, stressing that proactive legislation is crucial to sustaining and strengthening the state’s security architecture.
The Ebonyi State Assembly is also discussing the bill, with Speaker Moses Odunwa stating that lawmakers are desirous of giving it accelerated attention because of its importance to the security and welfare of the people. The Kaduna State House of Assembly is still studying the bill, with Chairman of the Committee on Information, Henry Marah, explaining that members are taking their time to study the bill to understand its provisions and determine how they would apply to the peculiar circumstances and security realities of Kaduna State.
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly will consider the State Police Bill when it resumes plenary next week, according to Speaker Danladi Jatau. The bill has been deferred several times, but the Speaker has assured that it will be considered soon. The outcome of the debate and the consideration of the bill by state assemblies will be crucial in determining the future of state police in Nigeria.
Key points
- - Top Nigerian leaders, including Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, Tompolo, and Nnabubem Moghalu, will debate the state police proposal at the House of Representatives sitting. - Several state assemblies have passed the state police bill, while others are still working on it. - The proposed reform of the police aims to strengthen security by creating a more decentralized policing system.
