Nigeria on Wednesday moved closer to establishing state police after the Senate passed the controversial Constitution Alteration Bill to decentralise policing. The bill now shifts to the 36 state Houses of Assembly, where at least 24 legislatures must approve it before it becomes law.
The Senate’s passage marks a major breakthrough in a debate that has dominated Nigeria’s security discussions for decades. It comes amid worsening insecurity across the country, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal clashes and organised crime.
The legislation seeks to create state-controlled police services alongside the existing Nigeria Police Force. Senators approved it after securing the required two-thirds majority through manual voting, following technical glitches with the chamber’s electronic devices.
With both chambers of the National Assembly now backing the proposal, attention has moved to state assemblies. Their approval will determine if Nigeria finally abandons its long-standing exclusive federal policing structure. The amendment is regarded as one of the most consequential constitutional reforms since democracy returned in 1999.
At the heart of the reform is a provision empowering governors to appoint Commissioners of Police for their states, subject to confirmation by state Houses of Assembly. Under Clause 17 of the proposed amendment: “While the Federal Police Service will continue to be headed by the Inspector-General of Police, each State Police Service shall be headed by a Commissioner of Police appointed by the governor and confirmed by the legislature of the state”