President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded a constitutional amendment bill seeking the establishment of state police to the Senate, marking a significant step in ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture.
The proposed legislation is expected to reignite national discussions on decentralizing policing powers and granting state governments greater authority in maintaining law and order within their jurisdictions. Supporters of state policing have long argued that the current centralized system places enormous pressure on federal security agencies and limits the ability of states to respond swiftly to local security challenges.
According to reports, the amendment bill seeks to create a legal framework that would allow states to establish and manage their own police formations while working in coordination with federal security institutions. Advocates believe the move could strengthen intelligence gathering, improve community policing, and enhance responses to crimes such as kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, and communal conflicts.
The issue of state police has remained one of Nigeria’s most debated constitutional and security matters for years. Several governors, traditional rulers, civil society groups, and security experts have repeatedly called for reforms to address growing security concerns across the country.
However, critics have expressed concerns that state-controlled police forces could be abused by political leaders for partisan purposes. They have therefore called for strong safeguards, accountability mechanisms, and oversight provisions to prevent misuse.
Political analysts say the transmission of the bill to the Senate signals the Federal Government’s willingness to pursue structural reforms aimed at strengthening national security. The proposal is expected to undergo legislative scrutiny, public consultations, and debates before any constitutional changes can be approved.
