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Nigeria’s proposed state police system has reached a major legislative milestone, with the Presidency announcing that 24 of the country’s 36 state assemblies have approved the constitutional amendment required to move the proposal forward.
The announcement was made on Friday, October 23, by Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu and chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill. The development was reported as political parties and government officials continued debating how best to address insecurity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Under Nigeria’s constitutional amendment procedure, approval from at least two-thirds of the state assemblies is required for this stage of the process. With 24 assemblies reportedly giving their approval, the proposal has reached that threshold, although further constitutional steps remain before state police can be established.
Supporters of state policing argue that allowing individual states to establish their own police forces could improve responses to kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry and other security threats. They contend that officers operating closer to communities may have better knowledge of local conditions and be able to respond more quickly to emergencies.
However, the proposal has also raised questions about funding, accountability and the potential misuse of state police by political officeholders. Critics have expressed concern that governors could use local police structures to intimidate political opponents or interfere with civil liberties unless strong safeguards are introduced.
The debate is particularly significant in northern Nigeria, where communities continue to face serious security challenges, and in other parts of the country dealing with criminal violence and organised attacks. Advocates say a decentralised policing structure could complement the existing Nigeria Police Force rather than simply replace it.
The Presidency’s announcement does not mean state police operations will begin immediately. The constitutional amendment must proceed through the remaining legislative and presidential stages, while the legal framework governing recruitment, funding, jurisdiction and oversight will also need to be finalised.
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections, the proposal is likely to remain a major issue in discussions about national security, constitutional reform and the responsibilities of federal and state governments.
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