Nigeria Advances State Police Reform as Legislatures Approve Constitutional Amendment
The approvals surpassed the constitutional requirement of support from at least 24 state assemblies, representing two-thirds of the country's 36 legislatures, for an amendment to the 1999 Constitution to proceed.
National Assembly Clerk Kamoru Ogunlana said his office had received and authenticated the legislative records confirming the decisions. He added that administrative procedures were being finalized before the amendment bill is forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for approval.
The move represents a major development in Nigeria's long-running debate over restructuring its policing system to address security challenges across Africa's most populous nation.
At present, the Nigeria Police Force operates under federal authority, with the inspector-general of police responsible for overseeing its activities nationwide.
Advocates of decentralization argue that allowing state governments to maintain their own police services would improve intelligence gathering at the local level, strengthen community-based policing and accelerate responses to threats including kidnappings, armed banditry, terrorism and communal violence.
Under the proposed arrangement, federal and state police forces would operate simultaneously. The framework also includes provisions regulating the appointment of state police commissioners and defining their working relationships with state governors.
The legislative process began with Senate approval on June 24, followed by passage in the House of Representatives on July 23.
The amendment was subsequently sent to all 36 state legislatures on Sept. 16, giving them 30 days to communicate their decisions. The response period ended on Oct. 15.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said lawmakers intended to complete the outstanding legislative requirements and forward the constitutional amendment to Tinubu before December.
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