The House of Representatives has passed the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking the establishment of State Police, marking a significant step in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to reform its security architecture and strengthen internal security across the federation.
The Bill was passed on Thursday following a vote in which 289 lawmakers voted in favour, one voted against, and none abstained.
Prior to the voting process, attendance was verified at 290 members, meeting the constitutional requirement of a two-thirds quorum of the 360-member House.
The legislation, which comprises 18 clauses, seeks to amend Sections 214 to 216 and other relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). Following its third reading, the Bill was subsequently passed by the House.
As a key component of the ongoing constitutional review exercise, the State Police Bill was prioritised for consideration, while deliberations and voting on other constitutional amendment bills were deferred.
According to the House, the proposed framework is designed to create a decentralised policing system with clear mechanisms for coordination, oversight, accountability and delineation of responsibilities between federal and state policing authorities. The objective is to enhance the responsiveness and effectiveness of security services across the country.
Speaking on the development, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, said the passage of the Bill underscores the House’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges through constitutional reforms.
“Security is the foundation upon which every other aspiration of nationhood rests. 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.
Also commenting, the Deputy Speaker of the House and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, described the passage of the Bill as a reflection of the House’s responsiveness to growing national consensus on the need for security sector reforms and improved governance structures.
The State Police proposal is part of a broader package of constitutional amendments currently under consideration by the National Assembly.
