The House of Representatives has passed a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police across Nigeria, marking a major step toward restructuring the nation’s security framework and decentralising law enforcement responsibilities.
The bill, 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 on Thursday during plenary following consideration by the Committee of the Whole, chaired by Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.
Presenting the report, the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, urged lawmakers to support the proposal, emphasizing the need for a more decentralised policing system capable of addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
During the voting process, lawmakers indicated their positions through a manual vote. The bill received overwhelming support, with 289 members voting in favour, one member abstaining, and none voting against the proposal.
The amendment seeks to overhaul Nigeria’s policing structure by creating separate Federal and State Police formations. A key provision of the bill proposes an amendment to Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution to formally recognise both institutions.
Under the proposed framework, the National Assembly would be responsible for determining the structure, administration, organisation and powers of the Federal Police. It would also establish the legal guidelines and minimum operational standards required for the creation and management of state police services.
The bill provides that no state police force can begin operations unless it is established through legislation passed by the relevant State House of Assembly and certified as meeting national standards set by the National Assembly.
It further states that the Federal Police will continue to carry out policing duties in any state where a state police force has not yet become operational.
To safeguard the independence of state police formations, the proposed amendment places limits on federal involvement in state security matters. Federal intervention would only be permitted in situations where there is a complete breakdown of law and order, upon a governor’s request, or where a state police service becomes unable to function effectively due to financial, administrative or operational difficulties.
The bill also introduces changes to the command structure of the police. Governors would be empowered to issue lawful directives to State Commissioners of Police on issues relating to public safety and the maintenance of law and order.
However, if a commissioner believes such directives are unlawful or conflict with established policing standards, the matter may be referred to the Nigeria Police Council, whose decision would be final.
Additionally, the amendment seeks to revise 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 passage of the bill is regarded as one of the most significant security reform efforts since Nigeria’s return to democratic governance in 1999. It is expected to stimulate further national discussions on funding, accountability, operational control and safeguards against potential abuse of state-controlled police formations.
Following its approval by the House of Representatives, the bill will proceed to the Senate for consideration. If endorsed by the upper chamber, it must secure approval from at least two-thirds of the State Houses of Assembly before receiving presidential assent.
If eventually enacted, the legislation would introduce a multi-layered policing system in Nigeria and could significantly reshape the country’s approach to combating insecurity, including terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes through a more localised security structure.
House of Representatives Approves State Police Constitutional Amendment Bill
