Tinubu Sends State Police Constitutional Amendment Bill to Senate for Approval
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken a major step toward restructuring Nigeria’s security architecture by transmitting a constitutional amendment bill on the establishment of State Police to the Senate for legislative consideration.
The proposed amendment seeks to create a legal framework that would allow states to establish and operate their own police forces alongside the Nigeria Police Force. The move is part of ongoing efforts to address growing security challenges across the country, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal conflicts, and other violent crimes.
The bill comes after months of consultations involving the Presidency, the National Assembly, security agencies, and other stakeholders who have advocated decentralised policing as a more effective response to Nigeria’s diverse security threats.
Under the proposed constitutional amendment, state governments would be empowered to establish, fund, and manage their own police formations, while maintaining coordination with federal law enforcement agencies. Supporters argue that the reform will improve intelligence gathering, enhance emergency response, and provide local solutions to security challenges within individual states.
The push for State Police has gained widespread support from governors, lawmakers, and security experts who believe the current centralised policing structure has become overstretched in dealing with Nigeria’s complex security realities. Senate leaders have also indicated their readiness to fast-track consideration of the bill due to its national importance.
The House of Representatives recently passed a similar constitutional amendment bill, paving the way for further legislative action in the Senate. If approved by the National Assembly, the proposal will still require endorsement by at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly before it can be presented to the President for assent.
Political analysts believe the State Police initiative could become one of the most significant constitutional reforms in recent years, potentially transforming Nigeria’s internal security system and strengthening the capacity of states to protect lives and property. However, concerns remain over funding, accountability, and the possibility of political misuse by state governments.
If successfully enacted, the legislation is expected to usher in a new era of decentralised policing and provide states with greater responsibility in combating crime and maintaining public safety.
