The proposed establishment of state police in Nigeria has reached a significant milestone, with 24 state Houses of Assembly reportedly approving the constitutional amendment bill, while 12 states are yet to endorse the proposal.
The development marks a major step towards decentralising Nigeria’s policing system amid persistent security challenges, including kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and communal violence across the country.
The 24 states reported to have approved the bill are Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.
The states yet to approve the proposed constitutional amendment are Bauchi, Borno, Ebonyi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, Lagos, Niger, Ondo and Sokoto.
Constitutional Requirement Reached
Under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution, a constitutional amendment requires approval from at least two-thirds of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, representing 24 states, before the process can proceed to the next stage.
With the reported approvals reaching the required threshold, the proposal has moved closer to establishing a legal framework for the creation and operation of state police services alongside the federal police.
The bill was transmitted to state legislatures in September 2026 after being passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives. The proposal seeks to give states the constitutional authority to establish their own police services through legislation.
What the Proposed State Police System Means
Under the proposed framework, state police services would operate alongside the Federal Police Service, with responsibilities for maintaining public safety, preventing and detecting crime, protecting lives and property, and enforcing state laws.
The proposal also envisages oversight mechanisms covering recruitment, promotion, discipline and accountability, as well as coordination between federal and state policing institutions.
Supporters argue that decentralising policing would allow security personnel to respond more quickly to threats within their jurisdictions and develop a better understanding of local communities.
However, concerns remain about possible political interference, the financial capacity of states to maintain police services and the need for effective safeguards against abuse of power.
National Policing Bill Under Development
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has been working on a National Policing Bill intended to establish the operational framework for the proposed system.
The legislation is expected to address minimum policing standards, coordination between federal and state authorities, funding arrangements, human rights protections and accountability mechanisms.
The constitutional amendment and the proposed National Policing Bill are related but distinct processes. Reaching the required number of state approvals is an important step, but it does not, by itself, mean that state police are already operational. Further constitutional and legislative procedures must be completed.
As deliberations continue, attention will focus on the remaining states and the next steps required to establish a policing structure capable of addressing Nigeria’s security challenges while protecting citizens’ rights.
