Nigeria’s decades-long debate over decentralising its police force is nearing a historic turning point, with the State Police Bill clearing the constitutional approval threshold and moving closer to President Bola Tinubu’s assent.
The proposed reform has secured the backing of 28 State Houses of Assembly, paving the way for the National Assembly to complete the necessary legislative procedures before transmitting the constitutional amendment to the President.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, confirmed the development in a statement, explaining that the approvals exceeded the two-thirds requirement stipulated under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution.
Ogunlana disclosed that the proposed amendment was forwarded to all 36 state legislatures on September 16, 2026, for consideration, with October 15 set as the end of the 30-day administrative window.
He, however, clarified that his office would continue to receive resolutions from state assemblies beyond the stipulated period until the bill is formally transmitted for presidential assent.
The Clerk also explained that the Constitution does not specifically require a Third Reading for alteration bills, unlike the procedure applicable to ordinary legislation.
With the required state-level endorsement secured, the National Assembly is proceeding with the administrative steps needed to authenticate and transmit the bill to Tinubu in line with the Acts Authentication Act.
The development represents a major milestone in efforts to overhaul Nigeria’s centralised policing structure, under which the Nigeria Police Force currently operates primarily under federal control.
However, beyond the legislative breakthrough, the proposed reform has continued to generate intense debate over the possibility of political interference, human rights violations, funding and accountability.
Supporters argue that allowing states to operate their own police forces would bring security closer to communities, improve intelligence gathering and enable faster responses to local threats, including banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and communal violence.
They maintain that state governments are better positioned to understand the security challenges within their territories and deploy personnel who are familiar with local communities, languages and terrain.
Critics, however, fear that governors could exploit their control over state police to intimidate political opponents, suppress dissent and target vulnerable groups, particularly during election periods.
Human rights advocates have consequently called for stronger institutional safeguards, including independent police oversight bodies, transparent recruitment procedures and mechanisms to investigate abuses without political interference.
Questions have also emerged over whether financially weaker states can afford to recruit, train, equip and maintain professional police formations without compromising operational standards.
The proposed framework seeks to address some of these concerns through a dual policing arrangement, retaining the federal police while allowing states to establish their own forces under prescribed national standards and oversight mechanisms.
Another major concern is the relationship between state police commissioners and governors, particularly the extent of executive authority over operational decisions and how unlawful directives would be challenged.
The debate has also highlighted the need to clearly define the respective responsibilities of federal and state police formations to prevent jurisdictional conflicts and ensure effective coordination in tackling interstate crimes.
Importantly, presidential assent to the constitutional amendment would not automatically mean state police operations would begin immediately. Further legislation, regulatory arrangements and state-level enabling laws would be required to establish the forces and determine their operational framework.
The reform is being pursued against the backdrop of persistent insecurity across Nigeria, with growing pressure on the Federal Government to reconsider a policing structure critics say has struggled to respond adequately to the country’s complex security challenges.
