Nigeria Advances State Police Constitutional Amendment

Senators in Nigeria’s National Assembly defended prioritising a constitutional amendment to establish state police, arguing that worsening insecurity makes the reform urgent. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said security is the foremost concern, while Minority Leader Abba Moro explained the amendment process has been segmented to fast‑track urgent items. Senator Ali Ndume also backed the proposal, emphasizing the need for both state and local government police.

In the House of Representatives, the Special Ad‑hoc Committee on Constitution Review is set to debate President Bola Tinubu’s State Police Bill. The 26‑clause proposal, which passed second reading on 14 July 2026, seeks to amend multiple sections of the 1999 Constitution to create a dual policing system, preserve the Federal Police Service, and establish State Police Service Commissions to oversee state‑level policing.