The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a landmark constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police across Nigeria, marking a significant step in the country’s long-standing efforts to decentralise policing and strengthen internal security.
The proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for the Establishment of State Police and for Related Matters (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026,” was approved during consideration at the Committee of the Whole, presided over by Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas.
The bill received overwhelming support from lawmakers following the presentation of the Constitution Review Committee report by Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Benjamin Kalu.
Kalu urged members to support the proposal, arguing that a decentralised policing framework had become necessary to effectively confront Nigeria’s growing security challenges.
Voting on the bill was conducted manually, with lawmakers indicating their positions by raising their hands.
At the conclusion of the exercise, 289 members voted in favour of the bill, one lawmaker abstained, while no member voted against it, demonstrating rare bipartisan consensus on one of Nigeria’s most contentious constitutional issues.
The approval represents one of the most significant security-related constitutional amendments considered by the National Assembly since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
New Policing Structure Proposed
A key provision of the amendment seeks to fundamentally restructure Nigeria’s policing architecture by establishing separate Federal and State Police formations.
Under the proposal, Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution would be amended to formally recognise both Federal Police and State Police.
The National Assembly would be empowered to determine the structure, organisation, administration and powers of the Federal Police, while also setting the legal framework and minimum operational standards that states must meet before establishing their own police services.
The bill stipulates that no state police force can commence operations unless it is established through legislation enacted by the relevant State House of Assembly and certified as meeting nationally prescribed standards.
Until such state police formations become operational, the Federal Police will continue to exercise full policing responsibilities within the affected states.
To safeguard the autonomy of state police formations, the amendment places restrictions on federal intervention in state security matters.
Under the proposal, the Federal Police may only intervene in a state’s internal security operations where there is a complete breakdown of law and order, at the request of a state governor, or when a state police force becomes incapable of functioning due to financial, administrative or operational challenges.
Supporters of the bill argue that the provisions are intended to strike a balance between state autonomy and national security coordination.
Changes to Police Leadership Appointments
The amendment also proposes significant changes to the appointment and command structure of the police.
Under the proposed alteration to Section 215 of the Constitution, the Inspector-General of Police would be appointed by the President on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council from among serving members of the Federal Police, subject to confirmation by the National Assembly.
Similarly, State Commissioners of Police would be appointed by governors on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council from among serving officers of the State Police, with appointments requiring confirmation by the respective State Houses of Assembly.
Governors would be empowered to issue lawful directives to State Commissioners of Police on matters relating to public safety and the maintenance of law and order.
However, where a commissioner considers such directives unlawful or inconsistent with accepted policing standards, the matter may be referred to the Nigeria Police Council, whose decision would be final.
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The bill further proposes amendments to Section 84 of the Constitution by replacing references to the “National Police Council and the Federal Police Service Commission” with the “Nigeria Police Council and the Police Service Commission.”
The adjustment is aimed at aligning constitutional provisions with the proposed new policing framework.
Although the House has approved the bill, the constitutional amendment process is far from complete.
The proposal will now proceed to the Senate for concurrence. If passed by the upper chamber, it must secure the approval of at least two-thirds of the State Houses of Assembly before being transmitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assent.
If eventually enacted, the legislation would introduce a multi-layered policing system across the federation and potentially redefine Nigeria’s strategy for combating banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes through a more localised security architecture.
The passage of the bill is expected to reignite national conversations on funding mechanisms, accountability measures, operational control and safeguards against the potential abuse of state-controlled police formations.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.