State Police Constitutional Amendment Nears Completion, Presidency Reveals
The Federal Government has moved closer to the establishment of state police across Nigeria, with the Presidency confirming that the constitutional amendment required to make it a reality is nearing completion.
Speaking on Thursday after a high-level consultative meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed that significant progress has been made on the proposed framework for state policing.
According to Gbajabiamila, discussions on the initiative began several months ago following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has consistently advocated reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.
He explained that establishing state police involves extensive constitutional and legal processes, making it impossible to implement overnight. However, he noted that stakeholders have made considerable headway in addressing key issues surrounding the proposal.
“Establishing state police is not something that happens instantly. There are constitutional, legal, and operational considerations that must be carefully addressed. Fortunately, we have made substantial progress, and we expect the constitutional amendment to come forward soon,” he said.
Gbajabiamila further revealed that attention is currently focused on finalizing the constitutional amendment process. Once that stage is completed, lawmakers will proceed with the enactment of an enabling law to provide the legal framework for the operation of state police across the country.
He emphasized that the national debate has evolved significantly, noting that the question is no longer whether Nigeria should have state police, but rather how to design an effective legal and institutional structure that guarantees accountability, efficiency, and coordination with existing security agencies.
The Presidency also indicated that there is growing support for state police among stakeholders nationwide, reflecting increasing concerns about insecurity and the need for decentralized policing mechanisms that can respond more effectively to local security challenges.
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If approved, the constitutional amendment would mark one of the most significant security reforms in Nigeria’s democratic history, potentially granting states greater authority to address crime and maintain public safety within their jurisdictions.
