Tinubu Seeks Constitutional Backing for State Police, Transmits Bill to Reps

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 legislation seeks to amend relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution to pave the way for state-controlled police forces as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and improve policing at the sub-national level.

If passed by the National Assembly and approved by the required number of State Houses of Assembly, the bill will provide the legal framework for states to establish and operate their own police services alongside existing federal security agencies.

The move marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s long-running debate over state policing, a proposal that has gained renewed momentum amid persistent security challenges across the country.

Supporters of the initiative argue that decentralising policing will enhance intelligence gathering, improve response times to local security threats, and strengthen community-based law enforcement.

The House of Representatives is expected to commence legislative consideration of the bill in the coming weeks, with the proposal likely to generate extensive debate among lawmakers and stakeholders over its implications for national security, federalism, and the distribution of policing powers.

If eventually enacted, the legislation would represent one of the most significant constitutional reforms to Nigeria’s security framework since the return to democratic rule in 1999.