The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police across Nigeria, in what is seen as a major move in the long standing national debate on decentralising policing and improving internal security.
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 considered and approved at the Committee of the Whole, presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
The process followed a presentation by the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Benjamin Kalu, who urged lawmakers to support the proposal. Voting was conducted manually, with members indicating their positions by raising their hands.
At the end of the exercise, about 288 lawmakers voted in favour of the bill, while four voted against it.
The proposed amendment seeks to fundamentally reshape Nigeria’s policing architecture by introducing both Federal and State Police structures.
A key provision of the bill amends Section 214 of the Constitution to formally recognise the establishment of Federal and State Police formations.
Under the framework, the National Assembly is empowered to define the structure, organisation, administration, and powers of the Federal Police, while also setting guidelines for the creation and operation of state police services.
It further provides that no state police force shall become operational unless established through a law passed by the relevant State House of Assembly and certified to meet national minimum standards set by an Act of the National Assembly.
Until such structures are in place, the Federal Police will continue to perform policing duties within the affected states.
The amendment also limits federal intervention in state policing, stating that such involvement will only be permitted in cases of a total breakdown of law and order, upon request by a state governor, or where a state police system is unable to function due to administrative or financial constraints.
Changes are also proposed to the command structure of the police. Under the revised Section 215, the Inspector General of Police will be appointed by the President based on the advice of the National Police Council, subject to confirmation by the National Assembly.
Similarly, State Commissioners of Police will be appointed by governors on the advice of the National Police Council, subject to confirmation by the State House of Assembly.
The bill also empowers governors to issue lawful directives to State Commissioners of Police on matters relating to public safety. However, where such directives are considered unlawful or inconsistent with policing standards, they may be referred to the National Police Council, whose decision shall be final.
Additionally, the bill replaces references in Section 84 from the “National Police Council and the Federal Police Service Commission” with the “Nigeria Police Council and the Police Service Commission.”
However, the proposal still requires approval by the Senate, endorsement by at least two thirds of State Houses of Assembly, and presidential assent before it can become part of the Constitution.
