Nigeria’s long-awaited move towards establishing state police gained fresh momentum on Thursday after the National Assembly advanced constitutional amendments aimed at decentralising policing powers and creating a multi-level security structure.
The House of Representatives passed the state police bill after 290 lawmakers voted on the proposal, with 289 supporting the amendment and one voting against it. The Senate also advanced the bill by passing it for second reading and referring it to the Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution for further legislative consideration.
The proposed reform seeks to move policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List, allowing both federal and state governments to establish and manage police structures under clearly defined constitutional rules.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, described the development as a major constitutional step towards creating a security framework that responds better to local realities while maintaining national unity.
“Security is the foundation upon which every other aspiration of nationhood rests,” Abbas said, adding that the reform would create a policing system more responsive to communities.
Proposed Federal and State Police Structure
The constitutional amendment proposes the creation of both Federal Police and State Police, with the National Assembly empowered to define their structure, responsibilities and operational guidelines.
Under the proposed framework, states would only begin policing operations after passing enabling laws and receiving certification that they meet national minimum standards. Until then, the Federal Police would retain policing responsibilities in such states.
The bill also outlines separate leadership structures:
- The Federal Police would be headed by an Inspector-General of Police appointed by the President on the recommendation of the National Police Council and subject to legislative confirmation.
- State Police commands would be led by Commissioners of Police appointed by state governors on the advice of the National Police Council, subject to confirmation by state assemblies.
The proposed legislation includes safeguards designed to prevent political abuse, including federal oversight mechanisms, national policing standards, state police service commissions and procedures for reviewing the conduct of state police authorities.
Security Crisis Drives Push for Reform
The renewed push for state police comes amid worsening security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal conflicts, armed robbery, pipeline vandalism and cybercrime.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said decentralised policing would strengthen intelligence gathering because officers with local knowledge of communities, languages and terrain would be better positioned to prevent crime.
He argued that state police would also reduce pressure on the Nigeria Police Force by allowing federal authorities to focus on national security matters such as terrorism, organised crime, border security and interstate offences.
Support and Opposition Continue
The proposal has received backing from several security experts and former police officers who argue that localised policing would improve response time and community trust.
However, critics have raised concerns over funding, training capacity and the possibility of state governors using police structures for political purposes. Some former police chiefs warned that many states may lack the financial resources and institutional capacity required to operate effective police services.
Security Spending Rises
The development comes as Nigeria’s defence-related imports increased sharply, with data from the National Bureau of Statistics showing arms imports rose to ₦32.5 billion in the first quarter of 2026, up from ₦22 billion in the same period of 2025.
Analysts say the increase reflects government efforts to strengthen security operations amid persistent threats across the country, while also highlighting the need for investment in training, intelligence systems and domestic defence manufacturing.
If approved through the remaining constitutional processes, the reform would represent one of Nigeria’s biggest security restructuring efforts since the return to democratic rule in 1999.
