By Samuel Nworah
Nigeria has moved a significant step closer to adopting a decentralised policing system after 28 State Houses of Assembly approved the proposed constitutional amendment providing for the establishment of state police services.
The development has cleared the constitutionally required threshold of at least 24 state legislatures, representing two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 states, paving the way for the National Assembly to proceed with the next stage of the amendment process.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, November 3, confirming that his office had received and authenticated the approval reports submitted by the 28 state legislatures.
According to Ogunlana, the proposed amendment, known as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, was transmitted to all 36 State Houses of Assembly on September 16 for consideration and approval.
The state legislatures were initially requested to communicate their decisions within 30 days, with the administrative deadline expiring on October 15. However, the Clerk explained that his office would continue to receive reports from the assemblies until the necessary processes were completed.
He said the verification exercise involved examining the reports and accompanying Votes and Proceedings to establish their authenticity and ensure that they accurately reflected the decisions taken by the respective legislatures.
With 28 approvals confirmed, the proposal has exceeded the minimum requirement of 24 states stipulated under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution.
The development represents an important milestone in the country’s long-running debate over the establishment of state police, particularly against the background of persistent insecurity across several parts of Nigeria.
Why Nigeria Is Considering State Police
For decades, Nigeria has operated a centralised policing system under the Nigeria Police Force, with operational command and control largely concentrated at the federal level.
Although state governments contribute to security through funding, logistics and other forms of support, they do not independently control police forces with powers equivalent to those of the federal police.
Supporters of state police argue that the existing arrangement has limitations, particularly in a country with a large population, diverse communities and security challenges that vary considerably from one state to another.
In states facing kidnapping, banditry, communal violence and attacks on rural settlements, advocates believe locally controlled police formations could improve intelligence gathering and enable security agencies to respond more quickly to emerging threats.
They also argue that officers who understand the language, geography, customs and social dynamics of their operational areas may be better positioned to identify suspicious activities and build relationships with residents.
The proposed constitutional amendment is therefore intended to provide the legal foundation for a dual policing arrangement in which state police services operate alongside the federal Nigeria Police Force.
The Concerns That Cannot Be Ignored
Despite the growing support for decentralised policing, the proposal has generated important questions about how state police would operate and how their powers would be controlled.
One major concern is the possibility of political interference.
Critics fear that governors could use state-controlled police formations to intimidate political opponents, suppress peaceful protests or influence local political disputes.
There are also concerns about inadequate funding, recruitment standards, training, operational coordination and the protection of citizens’ fundamental rights.
These questions are particularly important because the success of state police will depend not simply on creating additional police commands but on establishing institutions that are professional, accountable and independent enough to perform their duties without political manipulation.
The relationship between federal and state police formations will also require clear rules to prevent jurisdictional conflicts and confusion during joint security operations.
What Happens Next?
Although the approval of 28 state assemblies has satisfied the required state-level threshold, the remaining constitutional procedures must be completed before the proposed arrangement can become operational.
The Clerk to the National Assembly said administrative processes were being undertaken to facilitate the next stage of the amendment.
However, an important constitutional distinction deserves attention.
Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution sets out the special procedure for constitutional alterations. The National Assembly’s published explanation of its legislative process states that constitutional amendments do not require presidential assent in the same manner as ordinary legislation.
This means the remaining formal requirements for completing the constitutional alteration must be distinguished from the ordinary process of transmitting a bill to the President for assent. The National Assembly’s own explanation of Section 9 will be particularly relevant as the process advances.
Consequently, the 28 approvals should not be interpreted as meaning that state police formations can begin operating immediately.
*A Major Test for Nigeria’s Security Architecture*
The move towards state police is taking place at a time when Nigerians are demanding more effective responses to insecurity.
From kidnappings along major highways to attacks on farming communities and the activities of armed groups in rural settlements, the pressure on existing security institutions remains considerable.
Whether decentralised policing will produce the desired results will depend on the quality of the legal framework, the resources committed to the system and the safeguards established to prevent abuse.
For the National Assembly and the state legislatures, the responsibility now extends beyond securing the necessary approvals. They must ensure that the proposed arrangement protects citizens, strengthens public safety and preserves the principles of democratic accountability.
The approval by 28 state assemblies is undoubtedly a significant development. But the real test will come when the proposed system is translated into a functioning security institution capable of protecting Nigerians without becoming an instrument of political control.
