Senate Passes State Police Bill, Awaits Ratification by State Assemblies

Senate plenary

Senate Passes State Police Bill, Awaits Ratification by State Assemblies

Nigeria moved closer to a decentralized policing system on Wednesday as the Senate passed the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, a landmark piece of legislation that could transform the country’s security architecture if it receives the required approval from state legislatures. The bill, which establishes a constitutional framework for the creation of State Police Services, is widely regarded as one of the most significant security reforms since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.

If eventually endorsed by at least 24 State Houses of Assembly, the legislation will create a dual policing structure comprising a Federal Police Service and State Police Services, ending the long-standing monopoly of a centrally controlled police institution.

Under the proposed constitutional arrangement, states will have the authority to establish, fund and manage their own police organizations through legislation passed by their respective Houses of Assembly. However, no state police service will become operational until it satisfies nationally prescribed standards and receives certification confirming its readiness to function. Supporters of the reform argue that State Police in Nigeria will improve local intelligence gathering, strengthen community policing and enable faster responses to security threats such as kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, communal violence and other crimes that have stretched federal security agencies.

Despite granting states greater control over policing, the bill preserves substantial powers for the Federal Government. One of the most significant provisions allows the Federal Police Service to intervene in state policing operations whenever there is an actual or imminent breakdown of public order, a threat to national security, serious administrative failure or evidence that a state police organization is being used for political, ethnic, religious or sectional persecution. In such situations, the Federal Police Service may temporarily assume operational control of a state police command, subject to presidential authorization, Senate oversight and judicial review. The legislation also reserves exclusive responsibility for terrorism, cybercrime, organized crime, arms trafficking, border security and inter-state crimes for the Federal Police Service.

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A major departure from the existing structure is the appointment process for State Commissioners of Police. Under the bill, governors will appoint commissioners upon the recommendation of the National Police Council and subject to confirmation by their State Houses of Assembly. Removal from office will also require legislative approval. To prevent abuse, the bill expressly prohibits governors from directing police authorities to target political opponents, associations, ethnic groups or individuals for partisan purposes. State police officers are equally barred from enforcing laws in a discriminatory manner based on political, ethnic, religious or sectional considerations.

The legislation establishes State Police Service Commissions that will oversee recruitment, promotion, discipline and personnel management within state police organizations. It also proposes a restructured National Police Council to coordinate national policing policies, set minimum standards and promote cooperation between federal and state policing institutions. Speaking during debate on the bill, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele described the proposal as one of the most consequential constitutional reforms undertaken by the National Assembly in recent years. According to him, the legislation seeks to address the limitations of a highly centralized policing structure in tackling modern security threats.

The Senate’s consideration of the bill attracted high-profile observers, including Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila and several state attorneys-general. Their presence generated brief controversy as some senators opposed allowing non-members into the chamber during deliberations. The opposition was eventually resolved after Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senate Leader Bamidele reminded lawmakers that the amendment would require approval from state legislatures before becoming law. Bamidele told senators that the cooperation of state governments was essential to the success of the constitutional amendment process.

Although electronic voting devices were initially introduced for the exercise, lawmakers eventually adopted manual voting after concerns emerged that malfunctioning devices could disenfranchise some senators. The Senate subsequently conducted clause-by-clause voting through voice votes, standing votes and hand-raising procedures supervised by Senate President Akpabio. He assured lawmakers that a complete record of the proceedings would be preserved and made available for public scrutiny.

In addition to approving the State Police Bill, the Senate also passed the Police Trust Fund Bill, which is designed to strengthen funding mechanisms for policing and security operations across the country. Both bills must now secure concurrence from the House of Representatives before being transmitted to the State Houses of Assembly for ratification. For the constitutional amendment to take effect, at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 state legislatures must approve it.

While the proposed reform has received support from many governors, security experts and stakeholders, concerns remain about the possibility of political interference in state-controlled police organizations. Senators Aminu Tambuwal and Enyinnaya Abaribe expressed support for the establishment of state police but emphasized the need for strong oversight mechanisms to prevent abuse. Nevertheless, the Senate’s approval represents the most significant progress in decades toward the creation of State Police in Nigeria, a reform many believe could reshape the country’s approach to security and law enforcement.