Nigeria has crossed a historic threshold in its decades-long push for decentralised policing. Twenty-eight state houses of assembly have now ratified the State Police Bill, surpassing the constitutionally mandated two-thirds majority required for constitutional amendment bills. This development clears the path for the National Assembly to formally transmit the legislation to President Bola Tinubu for assent, potentially reshaping the country’s security architecture for the first time since independence. The milestone was confirmed on Monday by the Clerk of the National Assembly, who announced that the required 24-state threshold had been exceeded with four additional states endorsing the measure. The approvals span all six geopolitical zones, reflecting a rare consensus on an issue that has divided opinion since the 1999 Constitution centralized policing powers exclusively in the federal government. Constitutional Hurdle Cleared After Years of Debate The journey to this point has been neither swift nor straightforward. Since the return to democratic rule in 1999, multiple constitutional amendment attempts have sought to devolve policing powers to states, only to stall at various stages of the legislative process. The current bill, which originated as a private member’s motion in the House of Representatives before gaining executive backing, represents the most concerted effort yet. Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) requires that any bill altering the constitution must be approved by a simple majority of all members of the National Assembly and by a resolution of at least two-thirds of all state houses of assembly. With 36 states in the federation, the magic number has always been 24. The current tally of 28 provides a comfortable buffer against any potential withdrawal of support before presidential assent. Legal experts note that the broad geographic spread of approvals strengthens the bill’s legitimacy. “When you have states from the North-West, North-East, North-Central, South-West, South-East, and South-South all voting in favour, it becomes difficult for any region to claim marginalisation,” said Professor Auwalu Yadudu, a constitutional law scholar at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. What the State Police Bill Actually Provides The legislation does not create an entirely new police force overnight. Rather, it amends the Constitution to move “police” from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List, allowing states to establish their own police services while maintaining the Nigeria Police Force as a federal institution. This dual-track approach mirrors federal systems in countries like the United States, India, and Brazil. Key provisions include: States may establish state police services through enabling laws passed by their houses of assembly State police commissioners will be appointed by governors on the recommendation of state police service commissions Operational command remains with state commissioners, subject to oversight by state assemblies Inter-state cooperation frameworks for cross-border crimes and joint operations Federal oversight through the Police Service Commission on matters of standards, training, and human rights compliance A transition period of 18 months for states to establish legal and institutional frameworks The bill also establishes a National Policing Council comprising the Inspector-General of Police, all state police commissioners, and representatives of the Police Service Commission to coordinate national security strategy and intelligence sharing. Regional Breakdown of State Approvals The 28 states that have passed the bill represent a cross-section of Nigeria’s political and demographic landscape. In the North-West, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, and Kebbi have all voted in favour. The North-East contributed Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe. North-Central saw approvals from Benue, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau. In the South-West, Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, and Ekiti have endorsed the measure. The South-East delivered a clean sweep with Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo all voting yes. From the South-South, Rivers, Delta, Edo, and Cross River have joined the coalition. The eight states yet to vote include Sokoto, Zamfara, Borno, Adamawa, Kogi, Ondo, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom. Legislative sources indicate that most of these assemblies have scheduled debates for the coming weeks, with expectations that the final tally could reach 32 or more. Security Imperatives Driving the Consensus The convergence of opinion across political divides reflects mounting pressure from worsening insecurity across multiple fronts. From banditry in the North-West to kidnapping in the North-Central, from separatist agitation in the South-East to cult violence in the South-South, state governors have consistently argued that the centralized police structure is ill-equipped to respond to localized threats. “The Nigeria Police Force, with its current strength of approximately 370,000 officers for a population exceeding 220 million, falls far short of the United Nations recommended ratio of one officer per 450 citizens,” noted a recent policy brief from the Centre for Democracy and Development in Abuja. “Even with optimal deployment, the federal police cannot adequately cover every community.” Governors have pointed to the success of state-backed security outfits like Amotekun in the South-West, Ebube Agu in the South-East, and various vigilante groups in the North as proof of concept. These formations, while limited by their lack of statutory powers, have demonstrated the effectiveness of locally recruited personnel with intimate knowledge of terrain, language, and community dynamics. Funding and Sustainability Concerns Despite the political momentum, significant practical challenges remain. Chief among them is funding. The bill does not prescribe a specific funding mechanism, leaving states to determine how to finance recruitment, training, equipment, salaries, and operational costs from their internally generated revenue and federal allocations. “Lagos or Rivers may afford a well-equipped state police service, but what about Zamfara or Ebonyi?” asked Dr. Chidi Odinkalu, former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission. “Without a clear federal grant or equalization formula, we risk creating a two-tier security system where wealthy states enjoy robust protection while poorer states remain vulnerable.” The National Economic Council, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, is expected to convene a special session to discuss funding models. Options under consideration include a dedicated security allocation from the Federation Account, tax incentives for corporate contributions, and a phased federal matching grant for the first five years. Human Rights and Accountability Safeguards Civil society organizations have welcomed the bill’s progress but insist on robust accountability mechanisms. The legislation includes provisions for state police service commissions with civil society representation, mandatory body cameras for operational units, and the establishment of state-level police complaints authorities independent of executive control. “History teaches us that police forces without independent oversight become instruments of political repression,” said Osai Ojigho, director of Amnesty International Nigeria. “The true test will be whether states actually establish and fund these oversight bodies, or whether they remain paper tigers.” The bill also subjects state police officers to the jurisdiction of the National Human Rights Commission and the Police Service Commission on matters of professional standards and human rights violations, creating a dual layer of federal and state accountability. Next Steps: Transmission and Presidential Assent With the state assembly threshold met, the Clerk of the National Assembly will now compile the certified true copies of the resolutions from all 28 states and forward them to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. A joint sitting will then formally adopt the report and authorize transmission to the President. President Tinubu has 30 days to assent to the bill once received. Given his administration’s public commitment to security reform and the bill’s executive sponsorship, assent is widely anticipated. However, the President could request clarifications or refer specific provisions to the Supreme Court for constitutional interpretation, which would delay implementation. If assented to, the bill becomes law immediately, triggering the 18-month transition period. States that have already passed enabling laws — Lagos, Kano, and Rivers are among those with draft bills at advanced stages — could move faster. Others will need to commence legislative processes from scratch. Implications for Federal-State Relations The devolution of policing powers represents the most significant shift in federal-state relations since the 1999 Constitution. It touches on fundamental questions of resource control, autonomy, and the nature of the Nigerian federation. Some analysts see it as a stepping stone toward broader restructuring. “Policing is the most visible manifestation of state authority,” observed Dr. Sam Amadi, director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought. “Once states control their police, the logic of fiscal federalism becomes harder to resist. You cannot have operational responsibility without commensurate revenue powers.” This perspective has not escaped the notice of federal lawmakers. During the debate on the bill, several senators and representatives warned that state police could become a Trojan horse for secessionist tendencies or ethnic domination. The bill’s sponsors countered that the federal oversight mechanisms and the National Policing Council are designed precisely to prevent such outcomes. Lessons from Other Federations Nigeria’s move toward state policing invites comparison with other federal systems. India’s state police forces, established under the Police Act of 1861 and retained after independence, operate under state governments with the Indian Police Service providing a cadre of centrally recruited officers who serve in states. Brazil’s military police (Polícia Militar) are state-level forces responsible for preventive policing, while civil police (Polícia Civil) handle investigations. South Africa’s experience is perhaps most instructive. The South African Police Service remains a single national force, but the Constitution provides for provincial policing functions and civilian oversight through civilian secretariats. The country has struggled with balancing centralized command and local accountability — a tension Nigeria will need to navigate carefully. “No model is perfect,” said Professor Etannibi Alemika, a criminologist at the University of Jos. “Nigeria must design a system that reflects its own history, diversity, and institutional realities. Blind copying will fail.” Public Reaction and Expectations Public opinion appears broadly supportive, though tempered by skepticism born of experience. A recent poll by NOI Polls showed 68% of respondents favouring state police, but only 34% expressing confidence that their state government would manage it transparently and professionally. “We want police who speak our language, know our streets, and answer to our governors,” said Musa Abdullahi, a trader in Kano’s Kurmi Market. “But we also fear that the same politicians who use thugs during elections will now have official police to do their bidding.” This dual sentiment — hope for better security, fear of political abuse — captures the central dilemma. The bill’s success will ultimately be measured not by its passage, but by whether it delivers safer communities without compromising civil liberties. Frequently Asked Questions What happens after President Tinubu assents to the State Police Bill? Once assented to, the bill becomes law and triggers an 18-month transition period. States must pass enabling legislation to establish their police services, set up state police service commissions, and recruit personnel. The Nigeria Police Force continues to operate concurrently. Will state police replace the Nigeria Police Force? No. The bill creates a dual system where the Nigeria Police Force remains a federal institution handling inter-state crimes, federal offences, and national security, while state police handle local law enforcement within their jurisdictions. Both will operate simultaneously. How will state police be funded? The bill does not specify a funding formula. States are expected to fund their police services from internally generated revenue and federal allocations. The National Economic Council is discussing potential federal matching grants and a dedicated security allocation from the Federation Account. What safeguards exist against political abuse of state police? The bill provides for state police service commissions with civil society representation, independent state-level police complaints authorities, mandatory body cameras, and federal oversight through the Police Service Commission and National Human Rights Commission on professional standards and human rights. Which states have not yet voted on the bill? As of November 2026, eight states have not yet voted: Sokoto, Zamfara, Borno, Adamawa, Kogi, Ondo, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom. Most have scheduled debates, and the final tally could exceed 30 states. The approval of the State Police Bill by 28 state assemblies marks a watershed moment in Nigeria’s constitutional evolution. While the legislative heavy lifting is largely done, the real work — building institutions, recruiting personnel, securing funding, and establishing accountability — lies ahead. For millions of Nigerians who have long felt the distance between their communities and the police meant to protect them, this development offers a tangible promise of change. Whether that promise is fulfilled will depend on the rigor with which federal and state authorities approach implementation in the months and years to come. Related Reading Ebonyi Governor Pushes Death Penalty for Kidnappers in Bold Legislative Move Moscow Museum Threat: US Embassy Alerts of Imminent Mass Casualty at Iconic Museum Ogun Road Projects Ignite Rural Revival and Industrial Growth Related posts: Kwara Assembly Clears Way for State Police Bill, Sparking Nationwide Debate Presidency Confirms Tinubu Can Govern Nigeria from Anywhere in 2026 Why Nigerians Must Embrace Pain for a Better Tomorrow – Suswam’s Call to Unity Tinubu Reinstates Civil Servant Amid Public Outcry Post navigation Jimmy Kimmel’s Sharp Roast of Trump’s Lincoln Memorial Stunt Sparks Midterm Buzz Imo State Reschedules Local Government Elections to November 14, 2026
