Nigeria moved significantly closer to establishing state police on Wednesday after the Senate passed a landmark constitutional amendment bill aimed at decentralising the nation’s policing system and strengthening security operations across the federation.

The proposed legislation, regarded as one of the most far-reaching security reforms in Nigeria’s democratic history, was approved after an extensive clause-by-clause consideration by lawmakers and a final manual voting exercise in which more than two-thirds of senators voted in support.

The bill seeks to create State Police Services that will operate alongside the Nigeria Police Force, ending the Federal Government’s exclusive control of policing and introducing a dual policing structure designed to improve local security management and response capabilities.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the passage of the bill following overwhelming support from senators during plenary.

The upper chamber adopted the report of the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution, presented by Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, before proceeding to the final vote.

Leading debate on the proposal, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, described state policing as a critical component of efforts to tackle Nigeria’s worsening security challenges, including terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, communal violence and other criminal activities that continue to threaten communities nationwide.

Governors to Appoint State Police Commissioners

One of the most significant provisions of the constitutional amendment empowers governors to appoint Commissioners of Police for their respective states.

Under Clause 17 of the bill, while the Federal Police Service will remain under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, each State Police Service will be headed by a Commissioner of Police appointed by the governor and confirmed by the State House of Assembly.

The provision represents a major shift from the current policing structure in which all commissioners of police are appointed through federal authorities and answer ultimately to the Inspector-General of Police.

The bill also grants governors operational influence over state police formations.

Section 17(6) authorises governors to issue lawful written directives of a general policy nature to State Commissioners of Police on matters relating to public safety and public order within their states.

Supporters of the legislation argue that this framework will enable state governments to respond more effectively to local security threats, intelligence reports and community-specific challenges.

Senate Builds Safeguards Against Political Abuse

Recognising longstanding concerns about the possible misuse of state police by governors, lawmakers incorporated constitutional safeguards designed to prevent political interference and abuse of power.

The provisions prohibit the use of state police for partisan, ethnic, religious, sectional or personal purposes.

The safeguards are intended to ensure that state police formations cannot be deployed to harass political opponents, suppress dissent, intimidate journalists, target activists or undermine democratic freedoms.

Lawmakers insisted that all actions by state police authorities must comply with constitutional provisions, existing laws and due process requirements.

The safeguards formed a key aspect of Senate deliberations as critics of state policing have repeatedly warned that governors could exploit such powers to consolidate political control within their states.

Senate Dumps Electronic Voting for Manual Roll Call

The historic vote was preceded by a dramatic procedural decision after the Senate abandoned plans to use an electronic voting system for the consideration of the State Police Bill and other constitutional amendment proposals.

Concerns emerged over technical difficulties affecting some voting devices, raising fears that certain lawmakers could be excluded from participating in the constitutional exercise.

In response, Bamidele moved a motion seeking the adoption of a manual voting process, arguing that every senator must be given an equal opportunity to participate in what many described as a defining moment in Nigeria’s constitutional evolution.

Akpabio supported the proposal, stating that an open voting system would not only guarantee full participation but also enhance transparency by allowing Nigerians to know how their elected representatives voted on critical constitutional issues.

Following the decision, senators were called individually to publicly declare their positions during consideration of the amendment.

Governors, Presidency Officials Witness Historic Vote

The significance of the debate attracted the presence of several top government officials who observed proceedings from the Senate chamber.

Among those in attendance were the Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani; the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun; the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; and the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Their presence underscored the national importance of a reform that could fundamentally alter Nigeria’s security architecture.

A Turning Point in Nigeria’s Security Strategy

The successful Senate passage of the State Police Bill marks one of the most consequential constitutional reforms undertaken by the 10th National Assembly.

For decades, advocates have argued that Nigeria’s centrally controlled police structure has become overstretched and incapable of adequately responding to the country’s growing and increasingly complex security threats.

Supporters believe state police will improve intelligence gathering, strengthen community policing, reduce response times and provide state governments with greater capacity to protect lives and property.

The bill is widely seen as a direct response to escalating insecurity across several regions of the country, including persistent attacks by terrorists, armed bandits, kidnappers and violent criminal groups.

Next Constitutional Hurdle

Despite clearing a major legislative obstacle, the constitutional amendment has not yet become law.

The proposal must still secure approval from at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s State Houses of Assembly and complete other constitutional processes before it can take effect.

If ultimately ratified, the reform will establish a new era in Nigerian policing, creating state-controlled police services operating alongside federal law enforcement agencies and fundamentally reshaping the nation’s approach to security management.

The Senate’s decision therefore represents not merely a legislative victory, but a historic turning point in Nigeria’s long-running search for a more effective and locally responsive security framework.