Senate Passes Constitutional Amendments to Establish State Police in Nigeria
Nigeria’s Senate has passed key constitutional amendments paving the way for the establishment of state police, marking a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to reform its security architecture and address rising insecurity nationwide.
The development followed a clause-by-clause manual voting process by lawmakers during plenary, with several high-profile government officials present to observe the historic proceedings.
Among those in attendance were the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani; the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun; the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; and the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The move to establish state police has been widely debated for years, with supporters arguing that decentralizing policing would enable states to tackle security challenges more effectively, improve intelligence gathering, and strengthen community-based law enforcement.
During the proceedings, Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged state governors not to misuse the proposed state police system for political purposes. He reminded political leaders that public offices are temporary and that the institutions they create should serve future generations rather than personal interests.
Akpabio noted that many public officials, including governors, eventually return to live among ordinary citizens after leaving office. He stressed that they should build a policing structure that promotes safety and justice without becoming an instrument of intimidation.
According to him, current governors should not fear the state police system they are helping to establish because they, too, will one day become private citizens who would benefit from a fair and accountable security structure.
The passage of the constitutional amendments represents a major step toward restructuring Nigeria’s policing framework. However, additional legislative processes, including concurrence by the House of Representatives and approvals required under constitutional provisions, may still be necessary before full implementation.
Security experts have long advocated for state policing, citing the limitations of a centralized police force in managing Nigeria’s diverse and complex security challenges across its 36 states.
If fully implemented, state police could redefine Nigeria’s internal security strategy by granting states greater responsibility in maintaining law and order while operating within a constitutional framework designed to prevent abuse of power.
The Senate’s decision is expected to generate further national discussions as stakeholders examine the benefits, risks, and safeguards needed to ensure the success of the new policing system.
