President Bola Tinubu has forwarded a bill to the House of Representatives seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to establish a legal framework for the creation of state police across Nigeria.
According to Punch on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, the proposed legislation, titled the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, was conveyed in a letter dated June 15, 2026, and addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
In the letter, Tinubu urged lawmakers to expedite consideration of the bill, describing it as a key part of his administration’s efforts to strengthen national security and improve policing across the country.
The proposed constitutional amendment seeks to decentralise policing by allowing states to establish and manage their own police services alongside the Nigeria Police Force.
Supporters of the proposal argue that state police would improve intelligence gathering, strengthen responses to local security threats and provide law enforcement better suited to the needs of individual states. They also contend that Nigeria’s centralised policing system has struggled to address growing security challenges, including banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and communal violence.
However, critics have expressed concerns that state-controlled police could be abused by state governors for political purposes or used to intimidate opponents. They have called for strong constitutional safeguards, independent oversight and accountability measures to prevent misuse.
Despite the concerns, the Tinubu administration maintains that establishing state police is a necessary reform to strengthen internal security and enhance public safety nationwide.
