The House of Representatives has set aside its own constitutional amendment bill on state policing and opted to proceed with a similar proposal transmitted by President Bola Tinubu.
The development became evident during Tuesday’s plenary, where lawmakers introduced the Executive-sponsored Constitution Alteration Bill on State Police and passed it through first and second readings before referring it to the House Committee on Constitutional Review for further legislative work.
The decision effectively puts the House’s earlier state police initiative on hold, signalling lawmakers’ preference to work with the Presidency’s version as constitutional reforms to Nigeria’s policing system gain momentum.
At the committee stage, members are expected to conduct a detailed review of the proposed legislation, scrutinising its provisions, safeguards and operational framework for the establishment and administration of state police services across the federation. The committee’s report will later be presented to the full House for debate and further legislative action.
President Tinubu had formally transmitted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026 to the House, seeking constitutional backing for the creation of state police services.
In a letter addressed to Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the President said the bill seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution by creating the legal framework for the establishment of state police as part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
Tinubu noted that the proposal builds on previous legislative work by the House of Representatives while introducing additional safeguards to ensure the effective operation of a dual policing system involving both federal and state law enforcement agencies.
“I am delighted to present to the House of Representatives for consideration the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, which seeks to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to create a constitutional pathway for the establishment of State Police Services,” the President stated.
He said the proposed framework is intended to tackle Nigeria’s evolving security challenges by enabling a more responsive and efficient policing structure.
“This Bill builds on the significant work already done in this regard by the House of Representatives and incorporates additional safeguards to ensure that the creation of a dual policing structure to address our nation’s evolving national security challenges can be achieved quickly and effectively to the benefit of all Nigerians,” he added.
Describing the legislation as a critical component of his administration’s security reforms, Tinubu expressed confidence that lawmakers would give the bill expedited consideration.
“The proposed legislation is a critical component of our administration’s strategy to reorganise Nigeria’s security architecture to better protect our citizens, and I am confident that the House of Representatives will act quickly to consider and pass this Bill,” the President said.
Tinubu also urged the House to fast-track deliberations on the proposal, stressing that the constitutional amendment is vital to improving public safety and strengthening the nation’s overall security framework.
The President’s transmission of the bill comes barely two weeks after the Senate passed a similar constitutional amendment proposal providing for the establishment of state police services across the country.
