The proposed State Police Bill has reached the final stage of Nigeria’s constitutional amendment process following its passage by both chambers of the National Assembly, leaving the 36 State Houses of Assembly to determine its fate.

The bill is being prepared for transmission to the state legislatures, where it must secure the approval of at least 24 state assemblies before it can become part of the Constitution.

Under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, any constitutional amendment requires the support of two-thirds of members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as ratification by no fewer than two-thirds of the State Houses of Assembly.

The Senate passed the executive bill on June 24, 2026, after adopting the report of its Constitution Review Committee chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced its passage after more than the constitutionally required two-thirds of senators voted in favour.

The House of Representatives followed suit on July 23, with 311 lawmakers supporting the proposal, comfortably exceeding the constitutional threshold of 240 votes. The House considered the report of the Constitution Review Committee chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu before approving the bill.

House spokesman Akin Rotimi said there would be no conference committee because both chambers passed identical versions of the executive bill.

“There will be no Conference Committee, as both the Senate and the House passed identical versions of the State Police Executive Bill. The bill is being finalised for transmission to the State Houses of Assembly in line with the constitutional amendment process,” he said.

Dual policing structure

The proposed legislation seeks to establish State Police Services alongside the existing Federal Police Service as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

Under the bill, each State Police Service will be headed by a Commissioner of Police appointed by the governor and confirmed by the State House of Assembly, while the Inspector-General of Police will continue to lead the Federal Police Service.

Governors will be empowered to issue lawful policy directives to state police commissioners on matters relating to public safety and public order.

However, the bill introduces safeguards to prevent political abuse by prohibiting state police from arresting, detaining, investigating or using force against individuals or groups solely for criticising the government except as permitted by law.

It also provides that a state police commissioner can only be suspended or removed for stated reasons, following due process, on the recommendation of the National Police Council and with the approval of at least two-thirds of the State House of Assembly.

Existing security outfits

The bill makes it clear that existing regional and community security organisations such as Amotekun, Ebube Agu and Hisbah will not automatically become State Police Services or acquire constitutional policing powers.

It further bars such outfits from bearing firearms unless authorised under the Constitution and an Act of the National Assembly.

Federal intervention

The proposal also outlines circumstances under which the Federal Police may temporarily intervene in state policing operations.

These include situations where public order has broken down, a governor requests assistance, a State Police Service becomes unable to function effectively, there is evidence of systematic abuse of fundamental rights, or threats extend beyond a state’s capacity.

Any intervention must be authorised by the President, limited in scope and duration, and remain subject to judicial review.

State Police Service Commission

The bill proposes establishing a State Police Service Commission in every state to oversee recruitment, promotion, discipline and accountability of state police officers.

The commission would recommend candidates for appointment as Commissioner of Police to the National Police Council while handling personnel matters for other officers.

States expected to back bill

The proposal is expected to receive favourable consideration after securing the backing of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, which described the measure as a major milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s security framework and deepening federalism.

In a statement signed by its chairman and Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, the conference reaffirmed its support for state policing, arguing that community-based law enforcement would improve intelligence gathering, rapid response to crime and overall public safety.

The Speakers pledged to subject the bill to thorough scrutiny through stakeholder engagements and legislative deliberations before voting on the proposed constitutional amendment.