The Senate has scheduled the amendment of the 1999 Constitution to provide for the establishment of state police across Nigeria, with plans to forward the bill to the 36 State Houses of Assembly once it is passed by the National Assembly.
Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this in a statement issued by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs on Monday, describing the current legislative week as crucial to the proposed constitutional reform.
Bamidele said there was broad consensus among stakeholders on the need for state police, noting that President Bola Tinubu and all state governors had expressed support for the initiative.
According to him, the National Assembly leadership held a series of consultations in the past week with key stakeholders, including the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the Inspector-General of Police, and other relevant officials.
He expressed confidence that the bill was now ready for passage, following extensive engagements and deliberations.
The Senate Leader explained that after approval by the National Assembly, the proposed constitutional amendment would be transmitted to the state legislatures for ratification.
He noted that the endorsement of at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly would be required before the amendment could be forwarded to President Tinubu for assent.
The proposed creation of state police has remained a major issue in Nigeria’s security debate, with advocates arguing that decentralised policing would improve intelligence gathering and strengthen responses to security challenges at the grassroots level.
If approved, the constitutional amendment would mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s policing structure and security architecture.
