ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has transmitted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, to the House of Representatives, seeking constitutional approval for the establishment of state police services across the country.
In a letter read during Tuesday’s plenary, the President said the proposed legislation aims to amend the 1999 Constitution to create the legal framework for state police as part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and improve the country’s response to evolving security threats.
Tinubu noted that the bill builds on previous legislative work by the House of Representatives while introducing additional safeguards to ensure the effective operation of a dual policing system involving both the Federal Government and the states.
“I am delighted to present to the House of Representatives for consideration the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, which seeks to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to create a constitutional pathway for the establishment of State Police Services,” the President stated.
According to him, the proposed framework is designed to address Nigeria’s growing security challenges through a more responsive and efficient policing structure.
He described the bill as a key pillar of his administration’s security reform agenda and urged lawmakers to give it expedited consideration.
“This Bill builds on the significant work already done in this regard by the House of Representatives and incorporates additional safeguards to ensure that the creation of a dual policing structure to address our nation’s evolving national security challenges can be achieved quickly and effectively to the benefit of all Nigerians,” Tinubu said.
The President expressed confidence that the House would act swiftly on the proposal, describing it as critical to reorganising the country’s security framework and enhancing the protection of lives and property.
The move comes less than two weeks after the Senate approved a similar constitutional amendment bill seeking the establishment of state police nationwide. The proposal secured the constitutionally required two-thirds majority in the upper chamber.
For the amendment to take effect, the House of Representatives must also approve the bill, after which it must receive the endorsement of at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly before becoming part of the Constitution.
If successfully passed through all constitutional stages, the legislation will provide the legal basis for the creation of state police services, a long-debated reform widely seen as a major step toward addressing Nigeria’s persistent security challenges.
Comments