For years, State Police has been presented as an answer to the failures of a policing system controlled almost entirely from Abuja. Now the proposal is before the 36 State Houses of Assembly, and the decision is about more than whether States support the idea. They are being asked to take responsibility for policing and, in doing so, demonstrate that State Police will not simply reproduce at State level the problems that have affected the Nigeria Police Force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The National Assembly transmitted the proposed constitutional amendment to the State Houses of Assembly on 16 September 2026 and requested their resolutions within 30 days. Under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, meaning 24 States, must approve the amendment before it can proceed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As of 5 October 2026, only Edo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers and Zamfara States had reportedly granted concurrence. With most State Houses yet to reach a resolution, the pace of approval is already putting the proposal under pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Approval by the required number of States would clear the Constitutional threshold, but it would not by itself determine whether State Police can work. States would have to establish and finance police institutions, recruit and train personnel, provide infrastructure and equipment, create command and oversight structures, and ensure that officers are accountable for their conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Bill therefore gives States the greater control over policing that they have long demanded, while placing the responsibility for making that system work in their hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How States prevent political interference, poor conditions, weak accountability, inadequate funding, and other problems associated with the existing police system from being reproduced at the State level will be central to whether the State Police Service delivers a different model of policing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can States Afford It?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n State Police would create a permanent financial obligation for State governments. Beyond the initial cost of setting up police services, States would have to fund salaries, recruitment, training, stations, vehicles, communications equipment, weapons, welfare and pensions year after year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many States remain heavily dependent on allocations from the Federation Account, while others have stronger internally generated revenue and greater capacity to finance public institutions. The State Police implementation law will need to account for these differences in setting the national minimum standards that all State Police Services must meet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, would States recruit mainly from among their indigenes, or would long-term residents who are not indigenes also be eligible to join? A recruitment system based on indigene status could exclude residents who have lived and worked in a state for years, while a residence-based system would require clear rules on eligibility and verification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The implementation law will determine how these issues are addressed, including the rules governing funding, recruitment, and the operation of State Police, within the national minimum standards applicable across the federation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Who Will Control the Police?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Moving policing from Federal to State structures would bring the police closer to State political authorities, creating a risk that State Police could be used to protect the interests of the government in power rather than serve the public impartially.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The proposed Bill contains provisions on the control and administration of State Police, but the practical effect of those arrangements will depend on how much operational independence the police have from the State government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The risk is greater during periods of political opposition, protests and elections, when the government has a direct political interest in how the police respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A State government that controls or exercises significant influence over the police could use that authority to restrict opposition activities, influence policing during elections, target political opponents or discourage public protests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The implementation framework will need safeguards against these forms of political control, including clear limits on political interference, protections for officers who refuse unlawful instructions, independent mechanisms for investigating misconduct and effective avenues for citizens to challenge abuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n State Police can bring policing closer to the communities it serves, but without meaningful limits on political control, the same proximity could make the police an instrument of the State government rather than an institution accountable to the public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What Happens Before 2027?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Nigeria is approaching the 2027 general elections, and States that move quickly to establish their police services could have them operating during the electoral period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Police already play a major role in election security, but newly established State Police Services would operate under a different structure, with closer links to State governments. Their conduct during elections will test whether those arrangements can protect voters, candidates and political actors without allowing state political interests to influence policing decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elections in Nigeria can involve intense political competition, protests, disputes and allegations of the misuse of State institutions. A police service that is still establishing its command structures, recruitment systems and oversight mechanisms could face significant pressure in such circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The State Houses of Assembly are being asked to approve a system that could put new police institutions in place shortly before the 2027 elections. Their decisions will shape how those institutions are established, who controls them, and what safeguards apply when political interests and policing responsibilities collide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once created, the States will have to live with those choices long after the 2027 elections are over.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" For years, State Police has been presented as an answer to the failures of a policing system controlled almost entirely from Abuja. Now the proposal is before the 36 State Houses of Assembly, and the decision is about more than whether States support the idea. 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