The House of Representatives has passed a landmark bill seeking to establish state police in Nigeria, advancing one of the most significant constitutional security reforms in recent years.
The decision followed a plenary vote held on Thursday and presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. According to the Speaker, 288 lawmakers voted in favour of the bill, while four opposed it, reflecting overwhelming legislative support.
Lawmakers conducted the vote through a show of hands after it was confirmed that the electronic voting system was not functional at the time of proceedings.
The proposed legislation is aimed at restructuring Nigeria’s policing architecture by introducing a decentralised system that would allow states to establish and manage their own police forces alongside federal security agencies.
It also outlines key safeguards, including operational guidelines, oversight frameworks, and clear delineation of responsibilities between federal and state law enforcement bodies.
Prior to its passage, the House had released the final print of the Constitution Alteration Bills, which include provisions for the creation of state police. The development follows months of deliberations by the House Committee on Constitution Review.
According to the House leadership, the review process incorporated extensive consultations with stakeholders, including government institutions, professional associations, civil society organisations, traditional rulers, and citizens across Nigeria. Public hearings and consultative sessions were also held across the six geopolitical zones.
The move comes amid growing concerns over insecurity in several parts of the country, with proponents arguing that decentralised policing could improve response times and enhance local security management.
In a related development, the Senate has also passed the state police bill through second reading. The upper chamber has referred the proposal to its Committee on Constitutional Review for further consideration, with a full vote expected at a later sitting, according to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
If eventually adopted, the reform would mark a major shift in Nigeria’s security structure, potentially redefining the balance of policing authority between federal and state governments.
