Nigeria’s long-running debate over state police has entered a decisive phase after the Senate approved a constitutional amendment bill that includes extensive safeguards designed to prevent governors from abusing state-controlled police structures.
The development is being regarded as one of the most significant security reforms proposed since the country’s return to democratic rule, with lawmakers arguing that the current centralized policing system has struggled to effectively address growing security challenges across the federation.
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, was passed by the Senate following extensive deliberations and clause-by-clause consideration by lawmakers.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who led debate on the legislation, said the proposal seeks to establish a decentralized policing framework while preserving national unity, accountability, and federal oversight.
According to him, the bill was transmitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu as part of efforts to strengthen security architecture and improve responses to local security threats.
A major concern raised by critics of state policing has been the possibility that governors could deploy state police forces against political opponents, dissenting groups, or perceived rivals.
To address those fears, the Senate incorporated provisions that expressly prohibit the use of state police for partisan, ethnic, religious, sectional, or personal purposes.
The legislation also seeks to prevent state authorities from unlawfully targeting individuals, political parties, organizations, or associations through police powers.
Lawmakers explained that the proposed framework is intended to balance local policing autonomy with constitutional protections for citizens and democratic institutions.
Under the proposed arrangement, states that choose to establish police services would be required to do so through legislation passed by their respective Houses of Assembly.
The National Assembly would retain authority to prescribe minimum national standards covering recruitment, training, discipline, promotions, accountability procedures, professional conduct, and the use of force.
The bill maintains a dual policing structure in which the Federal Police Service would continue handling national security responsibilities while state police focus on local law enforcement matters.
According to the Senate, state police would be responsible for enforcing state laws, maintaining public order, protecting lives and property, and preventing crimes within their jurisdictions.
Meanwhile, the federal police would retain authority over counter-terrorism operations, organized crime, cybercrime, border security, arms trafficking, interstate criminal activities, and the protection of federal institutions.
The legislation further outlines specific circumstances under which federal authorities may intervene in state police operations.
Such intervention would only be permitted in cases involving a breakdown of public order, inability of a state police service to function effectively, serious violations of fundamental rights, electoral intimidation, or threats to national security.
Importantly, any federal intervention must be authorized in writing by the President and would be subject to Senate oversight as well as judicial review.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, one of the prominent advocates of state police, argued that additional safeguards within the proposed framework would make abuse difficult.
He noted that while governors may have roles in appointments, multiple institutions including national bodies and legislative organs would be involved in oversight mechanisms.
Supporters of the reform believe decentralizing policing could improve intelligence gathering, strengthen community engagement, and enable quicker responses to security incidents across Nigeria’s diverse regions.
Several senators who previously opposed state police acknowledged that worsening insecurity has changed their views on the need for alternative approaches to law enforcement.
However, concerns remain among some lawmakers and stakeholders regarding funding arrangements, operational coordination, and the long-term implementation framework for state police services.
Despite those concerns, the Senate’s approval represents a major step toward restructuring Nigeria’s policing architecture and addressing demands for greater local participation in security management.
The bill must still secure approval from at least two-thirds of state Houses of Assembly before it can be transmitted to the President for assent and become part of the Constitution.
If eventually enacted, the legislation could fundamentally transform policing in Nigeria by creating a federal-state security structure while embedding safeguards intended to protect citizens from political misuse of law enforcement powers.