The House of Representatives has passed a constitutional amendment bill that seeks to establish state police formations across Nigeria, signalling a significant shift in the country’s long-running debate over decentralised policing and security reform.

The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 to Provide for the Establishment of State Police; and for Related Matters (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026,” was approved by the Committee of the Whole, which was chaired by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

After Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu delivered his arguments, the motion garnered overwhelming approval, with approximately 288 parliamentarians voting in favour and only four voting against it.

If accepted, the amendment would formally establish both federal and state police systems by amending Section 214 of the Constitution.

The idea allows state governments to form their own police agencies by passing laws through their State Houses of Assembly, as long as they fulfil national requirements.

The bill also specifies when the Federal Police can intervene in a state’s internal security concerns, such as when there is a complete collapse of law and order, when governors seek it, or when a state police force is unable to function properly.

Another significant element covers police leadership, proposing that the Inspector-General of Police be nominated by the President on the recommendation of the National Police Council from among serving Federal Police officials, subject to approval by the National Assembly.

The bill’s adoption marks a key step forward in efforts to restructure Nigeria’s security architecture, as the country continues to face difficulties such as banditry, abduction, terrorism, and other types of violent crime.

However, the idea must still go through various constitutional amendment processes before becoming law.