The House of Representatives on Tuesday withdrew its proposed constitutional amendment seeking the establishment of state police and began consideration of a similar bill sent by President Bola Tinubu.
The Executive-sponsored bill passed first and second readings during plenary before it was referred to the House Committee on Constitutional Review for further legislative work.
The decision means the House will now focus on the President’s proposal instead of its earlier bill on state policing.
The committee is expected to examine the provisions of the bill before presenting its report to the House for further debate and possible passage.
President Tinubu had transmitted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026 to the House, seeking constitutional backing for the establishment and operation of state police services across the country.
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, the President said the bill aims to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide the legal framework for creating state police as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security system.
According to Tinubu, the proposal builds on previous work already done by the House while introducing additional safeguards to ensure the smooth operation of both the Nigeria Police Force and state police services.
“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 said.
Tinubu said the proposed law is designed to address Nigeria’s growing security challenges by creating a more effective and responsive policing system.
“This Bill builds on the significant work already done in this regard by the House of Representatives and incorporates additional safeguards to ensure that the creation of a dual policing structure to address our nation’s evolving security challenges can be achieved quickly and effectively to the benefit of all Nigerians,” he added.
The President described the bill as a key part of his administration’s plan to reform Nigeria’s security architecture and expressed confidence that lawmakers would give it speedy consideration.
“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,” Tinubu said.
He urged lawmakers to fast-track the bill, stressing that the proposed reforms are essential to improving public safety and strengthening security across the country.
