The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is set to vote on a major package of constitutional amendments, including the long-debated State Police Bill, as lawmakers accelerate efforts to reform the country’s security and governance structure.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has already transmitted a constitutional alteration bill seeking to formally establish state police across Nigeria, marking one of the most significant proposed changes to the 1999 Constitution in recent years.
Lawmakers are expected to vote on proposals that include:
- Establishment of State Police and Federal Police structures
- Amendment of policing powers under the 1999 Constitution
- Devolution of security responsibilities to state governments
- Creation of regulatory and oversight frameworks for state-controlled policing
- Safeguards to prevent abuse by state authorities
- Strengthening of community-based intelligence and local security response systems
The bill has already:
- Passed second reading in the Senate
- Been referred to the Constitution Review Committee
- Received broad bipartisan support from lawmakers
- Advanced through similar approval stages in the House of Representatives
The Senate leadership says the move is part of urgent reforms aimed at addressing banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and rising insecurity nationwide.
If passed by the National Assembly and approved by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly, the amendment would:
- End Nigeria’s exclusive federal policing system
- Allow each state to establish its own police force
- Restructure internal security management nationwide
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