Nigeria police reform and constitutional amendments

Efforts to restructure Nigeria’s policing architecture have faced both legislative progress and legal opposition. In late September 2026, a group of plaintiffs, including the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought and Speak-Out Africa, filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The suit challenges the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, alleging procedural irregularities during its passage by the House of Representatives and questioning whether the required two-thirds majority was properly achieved.

By late October 2026, a presidential working group submitted the draft National Policing Bill 2026 and 29 related amendment bills to the Federal Ministry of Justice for validation. This proposed legislation seeks to establish a dual system of Federal and State Police Services. The Ministry of Justice is tasked with reviewing the drafts for legislative consistency, a process expected to conclude by October 30, 2026. The final implementation of these reforms remains contingent upon the completion of constitutional amendment considerations by state Houses of Assembly.