Nigeria moved closer to establishing state police yesterday when lawmakers in the House of Representatives passed the constitutional amendment bill. The Senate had already cleared it at second reading.
The proposed legislation seeks to create a dual policing structure with both federal and state forces. It's 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."
Members voted overwhelmingly in favour during consideration at the Committee of the Whole. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker and chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, presented the report.
A manual voting process showed 289 lawmakers backed the proposal. The measure aims to strengthen security across the nation.
Under the amendment, Section 214 of the Constitution will be rewritten to formally recognise both police formations. The National Assembly will design the structure and powers of the Federal Police while setting baseline requirements for state police services.
No state can launch its police force without passing enabling legislation through its house of assembly. The law must also meet national standards set by lawmakers.
Until a state police becomes operational, the Federal Police will handle all policing duties there. This ensures no security gaps emerge during the transition.
Safeguards are built into the proposal to prevent misuse. Federal intervention only happens during law and order breakdowns, on a governor's request, or when a state police cannot function.
The appointment process for police leadership has been redesigned. A president will nominate the Inspector-General of Police from serving Federal Police members, subject to National Assembly approval.
State governors will similarly appoint State Commissioners of Police from their respective state forces. These appointments require Nigeria Police Council advice and state assembly confirmation.
Governors gain authority to direct State Commissioners on public safety matters. But commissioners who believe orders breach policing standards can appeal to the Nigeria Police Council for final determination.
Several constitutional references will also be updated. The National Police Council and Federal Police Service Commission will be replaced with the Nigeria Police Council and Police Service Commission.
Security experts have long argued that centralised policing hampers rapid response in communities. Proponents believe state forces will improve local protection.
Critics worry governors might weaponise state police for political purposes. The bill's guardrails attempt to address these fears through oversight mechanisms.
The proposal represents a major constitutional shift for Nigeria's security architecture. Both chambers must still complete the legislative process before implementation.
