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The Nigerian Senate has pledged to complete the legislative process for establishing state police before the end of 2026, expressing confidence that the proposed reform will strengthen the country’s response to insecurity.
The commitment follows growing support from state legislatures, with at least 24 state Houses of Assembly having approved the proposed constitutional amendment required to introduce state-controlled police services. Ondo State joined the list on Monday after its lawmakers endorsed the bill.
Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, said the National Assembly intended to conclude the process before lawmakers proceed on their Christmas break. He described the proposal as a priority in the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution.
Adaramodu, however, explained that the Senate would await the formal transmission of the relevant bills by the executive before commenting on its proposed timetable. A presidential working group, led by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, has submitted the draft National Policing Bill, 2026, alongside 29 related amendment bills to the Ministry of Justice for review.
Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central, said the approval secured from the required number of state assemblies had met a key constitutional condition. He explained that the National Assembly would verify the submissions before proceeding with the next stage of the amendment process.
Umeh argued that Nigeria’s size and diverse security challenges made it necessary to decentralise policing. According to him, officers familiar with local communities could gather intelligence more effectively and respond faster to criminal activities, including kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and killings.
The proposed constitutional changes would provide for a Federal Police Service alongside State Police Services, replacing the current centralised structure with a two-tier policing system. Supporters believe the arrangement would bring security operations closer to residents and improve law enforcement across the country.
The Senate has maintained that it will move quickly once the necessary documents are received, while ensuring that relevant stakeholders contribute to the proposed framework. If completed as promised, the reform would represent a major change in Nigeria’s policing system after years of debate over how best to tackle insecurity.
