The House of Representatives on Tuesday abandoned its own constitutional amendment bill seeking the creation of state police and adopted the version transmitted by President Bola Tinubu for legislative consideration.
The Executive bill, titled Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, scaled first and second readings during plenary before being referred to the House Committee on Constitutional Review for further legislative scrutiny.
The decision effectively puts the lawmakers’ earlier proposal on hold, signalling the House’s preference to work with the Presidency’s version as efforts to establish state police gather momentum.
The constitutional review committee is expected to examine the bill’s provisions, safeguards and operational framework before presenting its report to the full House for debate and possible passage.
President Tinubu had earlier transmitted the bill to the House, seeking constitutional backing for the establishment of state police services as part of efforts to overhaul Nigeria’s security architecture.
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, the President said the proposed legislation would amend the 1999 Constitution to provide the legal foundation for the operation of state police across the federation.
According to Tinubu, the bill builds on previous legislative work by the House while introducing additional safeguards to ensure the smooth operation of a dual policing structure involving federal and state law enforcement agencies.
“I am delighted to present to the House of Representatives for consideration the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, which seeks to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to create a constitutional pathway for the establishment of State Police Services,” the President stated.
He said the proposed framework was designed to address Nigeria’s growing security challenges through a more responsive and efficient policing system.
Tinubu added that the legislation forms a key part of his administration’s broader strategy to reform and modernise the nation’s security architecture.
“The proposed legislation is a critical component of our administration’s strategy to reorganise Nigeria’s security architecture to better protect our citizens, and I am confident that the House of Representatives will act quickly to consider and pass this Bill,” he said.
He urged lawmakers to expedite action on the proposal, describing the reform as crucial to improving public safety and strengthening internal security.
The President’s request comes about two weeks after the Senate passed a similar constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police services across the country.
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