The House of Representatives, on Thursday, passed the Constitution Alteration Bill for the establishment of State Police, clearing a major hurdle in Nigeria’s push for decentralised policing.
The bill scaled third reading with 289 members voting in favour, 1 against, and none abstaining, according to a statement by Rep. Akin Rotimi, spokesman, House of Representatives.
A quorum of 290 members was confirmed before voting, meeting the constitutional two-thirds requirement of the 360-member House, the statement added.
The bill contains 18 clauses and seeks to amend Sections 214–216 and other relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution. It was prioritised by the House as part of the ongoing constitutional review, while voting on other alteration bills was deferred.
The proposed law provides for coordination, oversight, accountability, and clear delineation of responsibilities between federal and subnational policing authorities. Lawmakers said the goal is to deliver more responsive and effective security services tailored to local realities.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, described the passage as a turning point for national security.
“By passing this Bill, the House has taken a decisive constitutional step towards creating a policing framework that is more responsive to local realities while remaining firmly anchored within the unity and sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, said the vote reflects the House’s responsiveness to widespread calls for security sector reform and improved governance structures.
The State Police proposal is part of a broader package of constitutional amendments covering electoral reforms, judicial reforms, local government administration, devolution of powers, fiscal reforms, human rights, and institutional strengthening.
For the bill to become law, it must now be approved by at least 24 of Nigeria’s 36 State Houses of Assembly before receiving presidential assent.
The House reiterated its commitment to an “inclusive, transparent, and outcome-driven constitutional review process aimed at strengthening democracy, enhancing security, and improving governance across the federation.”
