By Ghazali Ibrahim
The House of Representatives has passed a Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish State Police across Nigeria, marking a major step in the country’s ongoing efforts to reform its security architecture.
The bill was approved during Thursday’s plenary after 289 lawmakers voted in support, one member voted against it, and no abstentions were recorded. Attendance at the session was confirmed at 290 members, meeting the constitutional requirement for a two-thirds quorum of the 360-member chamber.
The legislation, which contains 18 clauses, proposes amendments to Sections 214 to 216 and other relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). It was read for the third time before being passed by the House.
As one of the most significant measures under the ongoing constitutional review process, the State Police Bill was prioritised for consideration, while voting on other constitutional amendment bills was postponed.
The proposed framework aims to decentralise policing by creating state-controlled police forces while maintaining mechanisms for coordination, oversight, accountability, and clear operational boundaries between federal and state security agencies.
Lawmakers said the move is intended to strengthen internal security by enabling law enforcement agencies to respond more effectively to local security challenges.
Speaking after the passage of the bill, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, described security as the bedrock of national development.
“By passing this Bill, the House has taken a decisive constitutional step towards creating a policing framework that is more responsive to local realities while remaining firmly anchored within the unity and sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, said the outcome reflected the legislature’s commitment to addressing growing calls for security sector reforms and improved governance structures.
According to Kalu, the approval demonstrates the House’s responsiveness to widespread national consensus on the need for a more effective and decentralised policing system.
The State Police proposal is part of a broader package of constitutional amendments currently under consideration by the National Assembly. The reforms cover areas including electoral processes, judicial reforms, local government administration, devolution of powers, fiscal matters, human rights protection, and institutional strengthening.
The House reiterated its commitment to an inclusive and transparent constitutional review process aimed at deepening democracy, enhancing security, and improving governance across the federation.
If eventually approved by the Senate and endorsed through the constitutional amendment process, the bill could pave the way for the creation of state police forces for the first time in Nigeria’s modern democratic era.
