… But Will Nigeria Finally Confront Its Security Crisis?
Nigeria’s security crisis has outgrown the politics of delay. With 24 state assemblies reportedly approving the constitutional amendment for state police, the debate has moved closer to a defining test of the country’s federalism: whether policing should remain overwhelmingly centralised while insecurity ravages communities across the federation.
Yet, for sceptical Nigerians, legislative approval is only the beginning. Will this breakthrough bring security closer to the people, or will state police become another political instrument in the hands of powerful governors? The answer will depend not merely on constitutional amendments, but on safeguards, accountability and the political will to make policing serve citizens rather than those in power.
The proposed establishment of state police in Nigeria has moved a step closer to implementation, following the approval of the Constitution Sixth Alteration Bill, 2026, by 24 State Houses of Assembly.
The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill says the approvals meet the constitutional requirement of two-thirds of the 36 states.
In a statement, the Chairman of the Working Group and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, commended the State Assemblies for their support, as well as the National Assembly for passing the amendment in both chambers.
Gbajabiamila said the amendment could now be returned to the National Assembly for transmission to President Bola Tinubu for assent, in line with Section 9 of the Constitution. He added that the draft National Policing Bill, 2026, designed to implement the proposed dual policing system, is undergoing legislative drafting review and validation at the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The draft bills are expected lto be returned to the Working Group on or before October 30, 2026, for final consideration before presentation to the President.
The Working Group called on stakeholders to support a smooth transition to a dual policing system aimed at improving public safety across the country.
