RismadarVoice Reporters, July 4, 2026
A proposed constitutional amendment seeking to establish state police in Nigeria has outlined a new framework defining the responsibilities and operational boundaries of both the Federal Police and State Police, marking a major shift in the country’s security architecture.
The Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, currently before the National Assembly, seeks to replace the existing constitutional provision that recognises only one national police force with a dual policing system comprising the Federal Police and State Police.
Under the proposed arrangement, the Federal Police would retain nationwide responsibility for matters within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, while State Police would oversee internal security and law enforcement on issues falling within the constitutional powers of individual states.
The bill also provides that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will remain under the exclusive policing authority of the Federal Police.
According to the proposed legislation, no state can establish a police force unless its House of Assembly enacts the necessary law and the force meets national minimum operational standards to be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.
Until such certification is obtained, the Federal Police will continue to perform policing duties within the affected state.
The certification process is intended to ensure uniform professional standards and prevent the creation of inadequately equipped or poorly regulated police organisations.
One of the key provisions of the bill restricts the Federal Police from interfering in the internal security operations of any state with a certified State Police.
However, federal intervention would be permitted under specific circumstances, including a complete breakdown of law and order, a formal request by the state governor, or situations where a State Police becomes unable to function due to administrative or financial challenges.
In all such cases, approval from the National Police Council would be required before any federal deployment.
The proposed amendment establishes independent command structures for both police organisations.
The Federal Police would be headed by an Inspector-General of Police appointed by the President on the recommendation of the National Police Council and subject to confirmation by the National Assembly.
Each State Police would be led by a Commissioner of Police appointed by the governor following the Council’s recommendation and confirmed by the State House of Assembly.
The bill also empowers governors to issue lawful directives to their respective Commissioners of Police. Where a commissioner considers such directives unlawful or inconsistent with established policing standards, the matter may be referred to the National Police Council for a final decision.
While the bill empowers states to establish and finance their own police forces, it provides limited details on funding arrangements.
It states that the Federal Government may provide grants or financial assistance to State Police based on recommendations from the National Police Council and subject to approval by the National Assembly.
The proposal does not specify the size, frequency or criteria for such grants, leaving many operational details to future legislation.
Analysts have expressed concerns that financially stronger states may establish well-equipped police forces more quickly, while less affluent states could struggle to fund similar institutions.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has acknowledged concerns over funding and implementation, assuring Nigerians that lawmakers are working on mechanisms to ensure the reform succeeds.
According to him, many of the operational details, including funding models, accountability measures, grant administration and national standards, will be contained in a new Police Act expected to accompany the constitutional amendment.
The proposed legislation is part of broader constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security framework and deepening federalism by decentralising policing responsibilities while maintaining national oversight.
If passed by the National Assembly and approved through the constitutional amendment process, the bill would introduce the most significant restructuring of Nigeria’s policing system since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
