Nigeria Advances State Police Proposal Amid Safeguard Concerns

The Senate passed a constitutional amendment bill in June establishing State Police Services alongside the Federal Police.

Nigeria’s proposed transition to a dual federal and state policing system is advancing through the constitutional and legislative process, with lawmakers and the Federal Government working on the framework for its implementation. The Senate passed a constitutional amendment bill in June establishing State Police Services alongside the Federal Police.

Under the proposed framework, state governors would have a role in appointing commissioners of police, subject to confirmation by state Houses of Assembly, while being permitted to issue lawful, general policy directives on public safety and order.

The proposal also includes provisions intended to prevent state police from being used against people or political groups simply for criticising a government. Supporters say decentralised policing could bring security closer to communities, strengthen local intelligence gathering and enable faster responses to threats.

However, concerns have been raised about possible political interference, differences in funding and training among states, and coordination between federal and state forces. The process has continued to evolve, with the House of Representatives reconsidering the proposal in July following President Bola Tinubu’s transmission of an executive bill.

In August, a Presidential Working Group began developing the accompanying National Policing Bill, focusing on national standards, recruitment, training, oversight, funding and safeguards against political persecution.