The House of Representatives has passed a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police, advancing one of Nigeria’s most significant security reform proposals since the return to democratic rule in 1999.
The bill, titled Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, passed third reading on Thursday after the House adopted the report of the Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
Of the 290 lawmakers present, 289 voted in favour of the proposal, while one voted against it.
The legislation provides a constitutional framework for the creation and operation of state police services. Under the proposal, the National Assembly would set minimum standards for the establishment, structure and operation of state police forces, while retaining authority over the Federal Police.
State police formations would only become operational after the relevant State House of Assembly passes enabling legislation and the force is certified as meeting nationally prescribed standards.
Until then, policing responsibilities within the state would remain with the Federal Police.
The bill also outlines circumstances under which the Federal Police may intervene in state security matters. Such intervention would be limited to situations where a state police force is unable to contain a breakdown of law and order, where a governor formally requests assistance, or where a state police organisation becomes inoperative due to administrative, financial or operational challenges.
A key provision of the amendment relates to police leadership appointments.
Under the proposed changes to Section 215 of the Constitution, the Inspector-General of Police would be appointed by the President on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council and confirmed by the National Assembly.
Governors would also be empowered to issue directives to State Commissioners of Police on matters relating to public safety and law enforcement. However, commissioners would be allowed to refer directives they consider unlawful or inconsistent with professional policing standards to the Nigeria Police Council, whose decision would be binding.
The House considered the bill amid concerns raised by some lawmakers over the pace of the constitutional review process.
Malam Bashir Usman, representing Birnin Gwari/Giwa Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, argued that members received the committee report too late to adequately review its contents. He questioned the urgency of debating major security reforms without broader scrutiny.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas dismissed the objection and directed the House to proceed, citing the country’s security challenges.
Presenting the report, Kalu said the House had prioritised security-related constitutional amendments, particularly the state police proposal.
The bill contains 18 clauses and seeks to amend several constitutional provisions, including Sections 214 and 215, to formally establish both Federal Police and State Police institutions.
Following a failure of the electronic voting system, lawmakers voted by a show of hands before the bill was passed.
Speaking after its passage, Abbas said the legislation would create a policing framework that responds more effectively to local security realities while preserving national unity.
Kalu described the outcome as a response to growing public demand for security sector reforms.
Senate Advances Similar Proposal
In a related development, the Senate passed a separate state police bill for second reading on Thursday.
The bill, sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, seeks to establish state police and move policing powers from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List, allowing both federal and state governments to exercise authority over policing matters.
Opening debate on the proposal, Bamidele argued that rising incidents of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime and other security threats have limitations in Nigeria’s centralised policing system.
He said the proposed reform would create clearly defined federal and state policing structures while introducing safeguards against abuse, including federal oversight mechanisms, legislative confirmation of senior appointments and periodic operational reviews.
Several senators supported the bill, particularly members from states affected by insurgency and banditry.
However, Senator Adamu Aliero of Kebbi Central cautioned that constitutional amendment procedures must be strictly followed. He noted that any amendment would require approval by at least two-thirds of members of both chambers of the National Assembly and endorsement by two-thirds of State Houses of Assembly.
The Senate subsequently referred the bill to its Constitution Review Committee for further legislative work.
If approved by both chambers, endorsed by at least 24 State Houses of Assembly and signed into law by the President, the amendment would introduce a decentralised policing structure across Nigeria.
The proposal is expected to remain a major subject of debate as lawmakers, state governments and stakeholders consider its implications for security, accountability and governance.
