President Bola Tinubu has forwarded a Constitution Alteration Bill to the National Assembly aimed at establishing state police across the country, marking a significant push towards decentralising Nigeria’s policing structure.
According to a statement and legislative updates reported on Tuesday, the proposed bill seeks to amend key provisions of the 1999 Constitution to provide a clear legal framework for the creation, funding and operation of state-controlled police forces. If passed, the reform would represent one of the most substantial changes to Nigeria’s internal security architecture in decades.
The initiative follows sustained advocacy by the President for constitutional reforms that would empower state governments to take a more active role in securing their territories. Tinubu has repeatedly argued that Nigeria’s current centralised policing system is overstretched and insufficient to tackle the scale of insecurity across the federation.
In February, the President formally urged the National Assembly to consider constitutional amendments to accommodate state policing, describing it as a necessary step in addressing escalating threats from terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes affecting several regions of the country.
The proposal has gained increasing political traction in recent months, with both chambers of the National Assembly progressing related constitutional amendment processes. Lawmakers have been examining models that would allow for decentralised policing powers while maintaining federal oversight to ensure coordination and prevent abuse.
During his Democracy Day address earlier this year, Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s hardline stance on insecurity, stating that terrorists, bandits and their collaborators would face the full force of the law. He stressed that there would be “no mercy” for those undermining national stability.
The President also highlighted security gains claimed by his administration, noting that over 13,000 terrorists had been neutralised within the past year. He further asserted that terrorism-related fatalities had declined compared with previous years, crediting ongoing military and intelligence operations for the improvement.
Despite these claims, security challenges remain widespread in parts of the country, with continued reports of kidnappings, rural attacks and insurgent activity, particularly in the North-West and North-East regions.
The renewed push for state police has sparked ongoing national debate. Supporters argue that decentralisation would allow for faster, locally informed responses to security threats, while critics warn it could lead to political misuse of policing powers if not carefully regulated.
As the constitutional amendment process advances, the National Assembly is expected to hold further consultations with state governors, security agencies and civil society stakeholders before any final decision is taken.