By Mary Onyia
The House of Representatives passed a constituent bill on Thursday seeking to establish state police across Nigeria, marking a major step toward overhauling the country’s security architecture. 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, received overwhelming support, with 289 lawmakers voting in favour, one abstaining, and none opposing it.
The bill proposes a dual policing structure comprising the Federal Police and State Police. Under the amendment, state police services can only be established through laws passed by State Houses of Assembly and certified as meeting national standards set by the National Assembly. The Federal Police will continue to operate in any state until its police service becomes fully functional.
To prevent abuse, the legislation restricts federal intervention in state policing except in cases of a breakdown of law and order, upon a governor’s request, or when a state police service becomes unable to function due to administrative, financial, or operational challenges. It also provides that governors may issue lawful directives to State Commissioners of Police, while disputes over such directives may be referred to the Nigeria Police Council for final determination.
The bill further proposes changes to police leadership appointments. The Inspector-General of Police would be appointed by the President on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council and confirmed by the National Assembly. State Commissioners of Police would be appointed by governors from among serving state police officers, subject to confirmation by their respective State Houses of Assembly.
The push for state police has been a recurring national issue since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999. Advocates argue that the country’s centrally controlled police force has struggled to address rising insecurity, including banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, and communal conflicts. Calls for decentralised policing gained momentum over the past decade, with governors, traditional rulers, security experts, and regional organisations insisting that locally controlled police forces would improve intelligence gathering and response to crime. However, the bill must still secure Senate approval, endorsement by at least two-thirds of State Houses of Assembly, and presidential assent before it can become law.