By Emmanuel Thomas l Wednesday, Sept 15, 2026
ABUJA — In a major step toward decentralizing Nigeria’s security infrastructure, the National Assembly has officially transmitted the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking the establishment of State Police Services to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for consideration and concurrence.
The clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, confirmed that the proposed amendment was formally dispatched to the state legislatures on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. The parliament expects state lawmakers to prioritize and act on the draft legislation within a one-month window.
While the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) does not stipulate a rigid timeframe for state legislatures to vote on constitutional alterations, the federal parliament has urged the state assemblies to transmit their resolutions within 30 days of receipt.
Clarifying the administrative nature of the timeline, Ogunlana emphasized that the 30-day target is an administrative expectation designed to fast-track the process, rather than a binding constitutional deadline.
He noted that the federal legislature fully respects the constitutional autonomy and independent mandate of the State Houses of Assembly in deliberating on the proposed amendments.
Under the provisions of Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, any proposed amendment passed by the National Assembly requires the approval of simple majorities in at least two-thirds of the nation’s 36 State Houses of Assembly—representing a minimum of 24 states—before it can be returned to the apex legislature and subsequently submitted for presidential assent.
The State Police Bill previously passed through required readings and votes in both the Senate and the House of Representatives following intense public debate surrounding decentralizing police operations to curb widespread security threats across geopolitical zones.
The National Assembly assured that once resolutions from the state legislatures are received and compiled, it will immediately proceed with the subsequent constitutional procedures, reaffirming its commitment to inter-institutional cooperation, constitutional compliance, and strict adherence to due process.
Background to the State Police Agitation
The debate over state police has remained a central fixture in discussions surrounding Nigerian federalism, public safety, and governance reform.
1. The Centralized Model and Its Challenges
Since the transition to civilian rule in 1999, Nigeria has maintained a centralized police force structure governed by Section 214 of the Constitution, which establishes the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) under federal command headed by the Inspector-General of Police.
Proponents of state police argue that this centralized hierarchy creates operational bottlenecks, delays emergency responses, and leaves state governors—who are constitutionally designated as Chief Security Officers of their states—without direct operational authority over command structures within their jurisdictions.
2. Persistent Security Deficits
Over the past decade, escalating challenges such as insurgency, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, pastoral conflicts, and urban crime have strained the resources of the central police force. Localized security outfits established by regional blocs—such as Amotekun in the South-West and Ebube Agu in the South-East—highlighted the growing demand for legally backed, well-armed sub-national policing frameworks.
3. Arguments For and Against State Police
Advocates contend that state police officers possess superior intelligence capabilities due to local language fluency, cultural familiarity, and community ties, allowing for proactive crime prevention.
Critics and skeptics express concern over potential political abuse by state governors against opposition figures, financial sustainability across economically disadvantaged states, and the risk of inter-state friction or regional polarization.
The current legislative push represents one of the most decisive institutional steps toward altering Nigeria’s internal security architecture since 1999.
