The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday commenced debate on the constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police services across Nigeria, a move widely regarded as one of the most significant security reforms since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
The proposed legislation, titled the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, was sponsored by Senate Leader, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, and transmitted to the National Assembly as an Executive Bill by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Leading the debate on the bill’s general principles, Bamidele described the proposal as a constitutional response to Nigeria’s worsening security challenges and a necessary step towards strengthening grassroots policing and national security coordination.
According to him, the current centralized policing structure, established under the 1999 Constitution, has become increasingly inadequate in addressing the country’s diverse and evolving security threats.
“Nigeria is a vast federation with diverse cultures, languages, geographical terrains and security realities. The increasing complexity of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal conflicts, cybercrime and organized criminal networks has placed enormous pressure on the existing policing framework,” he said.
The Senate Leader noted that the inability of local authorities to swiftly address security concerns within their jurisdictions has fueled growing calls for the decentralization of policing powers.
Federal Police to Remain Bamidele clarified that the bill does not seek to abolish the existing federal policing structure but rather proposes a dual policing system consisting of a Federal Police Service and State Police Services.
Under the proposed arrangement, the Federal Police Service would retain responsibility for national security matters, including counter-terrorism operations, organized crime, cybercrime, border security, arms trafficking, protection of federal institutions and policing of the Federal Capital Territory.
State Police Services, on the other hand, would be empowered to enforce state laws, maintain public order, prevent and detect crimes within their jurisdictions, and protect lives and property.
The bill provides that no state police service can begin operations unless it is established through legislation by a State House of Assembly and certified as meeting national standards prescribed by the National Assembly.
One of the major concerns surrounding state policing has been the possibility of governors using security agencies to intimidate political opponents.
To address this, the bill contains constitutional safeguards prohibiting governors from directing state police authorities to unlawfully target individuals, political parties, groups or associations.
The proposed law also expressly bans the use of police powers for partisan, ethnic, religious, sectional or personal interests.
In addition, independent State Police Service Commissions would be established to oversee recruitment, promotions, discipline and administration of state police personnel.
To ensure professionalism and uniformity nationwide, the National Assembly would be empowered to establish minimum standards covering recruitment, training, promotions, discipline, use of force, firearms management, complaints procedures, accountability mechanisms and data management.
The bill further creates provisions for federal intervention in exceptional circumstances where a state police service becomes ineffective, public order breaks down, fundamental human rights are violated, partisan intimidation occurs or national security is threatened.
However, such intervention would require written authorization from the President, be limited in scope and duration, remain subject to Senate oversight, and be open to judicial review.
Making a case for the legislation, Bamidele argued that state policing would enhance intelligence gathering, improve community engagement and enable quicker responses to criminal activities and emergencies.
He also said the reform would allow federal police authorities to focus on more complex crimes and national security challenges while advancing the principles of true federalism.
“Security is most effective when law enforcement officers understand the communities they serve, including their languages, customs and terrain,” he stated.
The Senate Leader described the proposal as a balanced framework that combines local policing autonomy with federal oversight and accountability.
“This bill is not merely a security reform; it is a constitutional response to the evolving realities of our nation. It balances local autonomy with national cohesion, accountability with operational effectiveness, and federal oversight with state responsibility,” he said.
If eventually passed by the National Assembly and ratified by the required number of State Houses of Assembly, the legislation would fundamentally alter Nigeria’s policing structure for the first time in nearly three decades.
The debate is a major step in a long-running national conversation on state police, a proposal that has gained support from governors, traditional rulers, security experts, civil society groups and other stakeholders who argue that community-based policing is critical to addressing Nigeria’s persistent security challenges.
The bill has now advanced to the next stage of legislative consideration in the Senate, setting the stage for what could become one of the most consequential constitutional amendments in Nigeria’s democratic history.