Nigeria: Parliamentary move towards decentralizing the security system

Our correspondent from Nigeria

Years-long efforts to establish state-level police forces in Nigeria Unprecedented momentum was gained on Thursday after both houses of the National Assembly (parliament) made progress on constitutional amendments aimed at restructuring the police system and granting states broader security powers.

In a move described as historic, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment that would move police from the federal government’s «exclusive legislative list» to a «joint legislative list,» allowing states to create and manage their own police forces.

Out of 290 members of parliament who participated in the vote, 289 supported the bill, while only one member opposed it.

This development is one of the most prominent attempts at constitutional reform in recent years, in light of the worsening security challenges facing the country, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, civil violence and organized crime.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, described the approval of the bill as a crucial step towards building a security system more capable of dealing with local challenges, while preserving the unity and sovereignty of the state.

Abbas said: "It is a constitutional step towards creating a security framework that is more responsive to the local reality, while remaining part of Nigeria's sovereignty.".

The Senate pushes the proposal forward.

In the Senate, the Local Police Bill passed its second reading and was referred to the 1999 Constitution Review Committee for further study.

During the discussion of the project, the majority leader in the council, Opeyemi Bamidele, stressed that the current central police structure was no longer able to cope with the growing security threats of a local nature.

He explained that the creation of state police forces would enhance intelligence gathering, improve emergency response, develop the concept of community policing, and relieve pressure on federal security agencies.

He added: «Security is more effective when it is local, as people who know the nature of the region, its language and culture are better able to detect threats before they escalate.».

He also dismissed concerns about the potential for state governors to misuse these forces, noting that the project includes oversight mechanisms such as state police service commissions, federal monitoring, and local legislative approval of key appointments.

New security framework

The constitutional amendment proposes a comprehensive restructuring of the country's police system, so that two parallel forces operate: the federal police and the state police.

Under the proposal, no state would be able to commence its police operations until local legislation is passed through the state parliament and it adheres to national standards set by the National Assembly.

The federal police will continue their responsibilities related to national security, transnational crime and terrorism, border security, cybercrime and the protection of federal assets, while state police will handle internal security within each state's borders.

The bill also restricts federal government intervention in state police affairs, except in cases of complete breakdown of public order, at the request of the state governor, or when local police are unable to perform their duties.

Appointment of police chiefs in the states

The amendment stipulates that the police force of each state shall be led by a police commissioner appointed by the governor of the state, after consultation with the National Police Council and obtaining the approval of the local legislative authority.

As for the federal police, they will remain under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police, who is appointed by the President of the Republic and approved by Parliament.

The project also provides constitutional guarantees to regulate the procedures for dismissal from office, ensuring accountability and operational independence for both positions.

Controversy within the House of Representatives

The voting session witnessed some tension when MP Bashir Zubairu Usman objected, asserting that MPs received the final version of the amendment on the day of the vote itself, which did not give them enough time to study it.

However, the Speaker of the House rejected the objection and continued with the voting process despite demands from some members to raise points of order.

Increased security spending

Amid the controversy surrounding state police and a significant increase in Nigerian security spending, recent data shows that the country spent 32.5 billion naira on arms imports during the first quarter of 2026, an increase of 481 TP3T compared to the same period in 2025.

Security analyst Chidi Omeje described the increase as a necessary response to escalating security threats, while also calling for increased investment in training, surveillance systems, and the local arms industry.

Differing opinions

The proposal garnered support from several former security leaders and public policy experts. Former Assistant Inspector General of Police Ali Amodu endorsed the initiative, citing the success of decentralized policing models in numerous federal systems worldwide.

Retired Colonel Ahmed Usman, security advisor to the governor of Sokoto State, also considered state police to be one of the most practical solutions to the security crisis, suggesting the redeployment of officers to their home states to enhance local intelligence gathering.

In contrast, former police commissioner Ladodo Rabiu warned that many states may lack the financial resources to fund police forces and provide the necessary training, equipment, and logistical infrastructure.

He also expressed concerns about the potential for jurisdictional disputes between federal and state police forces.

What's next?

With the House of Representatives having approved the bill, and the Senate continuing to debate it, expectations are rising regarding one of the most important constitutional reforms in Nigeria's modern history.

If it is finally approved by parliament and adopted by the required number of state legislative assemblies, the country could witness a radical transformation in its security system, ending decades of federal monopoly on police management and paving the way for a new era of decentralization in law enforcement.