The House of Representatives on Thursday advanced a constitutional amendment to create state police across Nigeria, a move that could reshape the country’s security architecture for the first time since the return to civilian rule in 1999.
The measure, formally 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,” passed the Committee of the Whole after wide support from lawmakers.
A manual headcount recorded 289 votes in favour, one abstention and no votes against.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review and presented the proposal, framed the amendment as a pragmatic response to escalating violence and the limits of a centrally controlled police force.
Proponents argue the change will allow states to tailor policing to local security needs, improving intelligence and community engagement against banditry, terrorism and kidnappings.
If adopted, the amendment would formally establish two policing systems—Federal Police and State Police—by amending Section 214 of the constitution.
The National Assembly would retain authority to define the Federal Police’s structure and remit and to set national legal and operational benchmarks for state services.
Under the bill, a State Police force will not begin operations until the relevant State House of Assembly enacts implementing legislation and a federal certification confirms it meets national standards.
The Federal Police would continue to operate in states where a state force is not yet functional.
The draft also seeks to limit federal intervention in state policing matters to three narrow circumstances: a total breakdown of law and order, a governor’s request, or demonstrable incapacity of a state force due to administrative, financial or operational failure.
The proposal changes senior-appointment procedures.
The President would appoint the Inspector-General of Police on the advice of a reconstituted Nigeria Police Council, with confirmation by the National Assembly.
State commissioners would be appointed by Governors on the council’s recommendation and subject to confirmation by State Houses of Assembly.
Governors would be entitled to give lawful directives to State commissioners; disputes over unlawful or nonconforming orders would be resolved by the Nigeria Police Council, whose rulings would be binding.
Lawmakers also moved to rename oversight bodies in the constitution, replacing references to the National Police Council and Federal Police Service Commission with the Nigeria Police Council and Police Service Commission.
Passage in the lower chamber is a major victory for advocates of decentralization who say local forces will be more responsive to region-specific threats.
The amendment now proceeds to the Senate.
For the change to become law, it must win Senate approval and later secure the endorsement of at least two-thirds of State Houses of Assembly before being sent to the president for assent.
If completed, the reform would create a multi-layered policing structure in Nigeria and could produce a fundamental shift in how the country addresses internal security challenges.
