President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has transmitted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026 to the House of Representatives, seeking constitutional approval for the establishment of state police services across the country.
The proposed constitutional amendment represents one of the administration’s most significant security reform initiatives, aimed at strengthening internal security through a decentralised policing system that complements the operations of the Nigeria Police Force.
Furthermore, the President said the proposed legislation is designed to improve public safety, enhance intelligence gathering, and enable more effective responses to security challenges at the state and community levels.
Proposal Seeks Constitutional Amendment
The bill requests amendments to relevant provisions of the Constitution to create a legal framework for the establishment, administration, and operation of state police services.
Furthermore, the proposed changes would clearly define the powers, responsibilities, and relationship between federal and state policing institutions to ensure coordinated law enforcement nationwide.
Constitutional backing remains essential for implementing the reform.
Addressing Nigeria’s Security Challenges
The President noted that Nigeria’s evolving security environment requires innovative and practical solutions.
Furthermore, state police are expected to improve local intelligence gathering, accelerate emergency response, and strengthen collaboration between security agencies and communities.
Improved policing supports national stability.
Enhancing Community Policing
The proposed state police structure is expected to strengthen community policing by bringing law enforcement closer to local communities.
Furthermore, officers recruited and deployed within their respective states may possess better knowledge of local languages, culture, geography, and security dynamics.
Community-based policing improves public confidence.
Strengthening Intelligence Gathering
The administration believes decentralised policing will enhance intelligence collection and crime prevention.
Furthermore, stronger collaboration between local communities and state security agencies is expected to improve the early detection of criminal activities and support proactive law enforcement operations.
Timely intelligence strengthens security operations.
Complementing Federal Security Agencies
The proposed state police services are intended to complement, rather than replace, existing federal security institutions.
Furthermore, coordination between federal and state law enforcement agencies will remain essential for addressing crimes that cross state boundaries and protecting national security.
Collaboration improves operational effectiveness.
Legislative Consideration Begins
Following transmission to the House of Representatives, lawmakers are expected to begin legislative consideration of the constitutional amendment.
Furthermore, as required for constitutional alterations, the bill will undergo extensive debate, committee review, public engagement, and voting before progressing through the National Assembly.
Constitutional amendments require broad legislative support.
Public Interest in Security Reform
The proposal has renewed national discussions on the future of policing and security governance in Nigeria.
Furthermore, advocates believe state police could strengthen local security, while others continue to emphasise the need for strong constitutional safeguards, accountability mechanisms, and operational oversight.
Balanced reforms promote sustainable security.
Towards a More Secure Nigeria
The transmission of the State Police Bill marks another significant step in the Federal Government’s efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture.
Furthermore, if approved through the constitutional amendment process, the proposed legislation is expected to strengthen community policing, improve intelligence gathering, enhance emergency response, support collaboration among security agencies, and contribute to a safer and more secure Nigeria.
