Nigeria’s long-running debate over state policing may soon enter a decisive phase, with the Senate expected to consider a constitutional amendment that could fundamentally reshape the country’s security architecture. Lawmakers say the proposal is designed to strengthen responses to growing security challenges by giving states a greater role in policing.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele disclosed that the Senate Committee on Constitution Review is set to submit its final report on the creation of state police before the end of the week. The move marks one of the most significant constitutional reform efforts currently before the National Assembly.
Bamidele, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, said federal lawmakers had concluded deliberations on the issue and were ready to proceed with the amendment process. According to him, the committee believes further delays are unnecessary given the urgency of the nation’s security concerns.
The proposal has emerged after a series of consultations involving key institutions and officials, including President Bola Tinubu, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, and other stakeholders. Lawmakers say the discussions focused on developing a framework that balances national coordination with state-level security needs.
If approved by the Senate and the National Assembly, the constitutional amendment will move to the next stage of the legislative process. The proposal would then be transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly, whose ratification is required before any constitutional change can take effect.
The development represents a potentially far-reaching policy shift in the governance of security across Nigeria. Supporters argue that state police could improve local intelligence gathering and response capabilities, while the ongoing constitutional process is expected to determine how such a system would operate within the country’s federal structure.
