President Bola Tinubu has transmitted a constitutional amendment bill to the Senate seeking the establishment of state police across Nigeria, marking a significant step toward restructuring the country’s security architecture.
The proposed legislation seeks to amend relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution to create a legal framework that would allow states to establish and operate their own police services alongside the Nigeria Police Force.
According to the President, the bill is intended to strengthen internal security by introducing a dual policing structure that enables greater participation by state governments and local communities in maintaining law and order.
The proposal was formally presented to the Senate through a communication dated June 15, 2026, which was read during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Following its presentation, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Constitution Review for further legislative consideration, with lawmakers expected to continue deliberations on the proposal.
The establishment of state police has long been a subject of national debate. Supporters argue that decentralised policing would improve intelligence gathering, strengthen community policing, and enable faster responses to security threats, while critics have expressed concerns about possible political interference and abuse by state governments.
As a constitutional amendment, the bill must secure the approval of at least two-thirds of both chambers of the National Assembly before being transmitted to the 36 state Houses of Assembly. It must also be endorsed by no fewer than 24 state legislatures before it can receive presidential assent.
If enacted, the legislation would introduce one of the most significant reforms to Nigeria’s policing system since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
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