Senate Leader Confirms Progress on Establishing State Police in Nigeria

The National Assembly is gathering reports from State Houses of Assembly about the proposed creation of state police. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele announced this on Thursday during a lecture at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, Plateau State.

Bamidele stated that at least 30 state legislatures have approved the State Police Constitution Alteration Bill, 2026. This exceeds the two-thirds majority needed from the 36 State Houses of Assembly. The National Assembly will now review these reports and aim to pass a resolution before sending the bill to President Bola Tinubu for approval.

The Senate Leader, who also serves on the Senate Committee for the Review of the 1999 Constitution, mentioned that they plan to complete this process by December 2026. He emphasized that state police is now more than just a topic of discussion; it is becoming a reality.

Supporters of state police believe that having local police forces will enhance community safety and response times. However, there are concerns that state police could be misused by governors against their political rivals. Bamidele assured that the proposed reforms will include safeguards to prevent abuse and protect human rights.

This move marks a significant change after over 15 years of attempts to establish state police in Nigeria. Bamidele noted that this reform aims to improve security without undermining the federal government, allowing states to tailor their policing to local needs.

In addition to state police, Bamidele highlighted other legislative efforts aimed at improving citizens’ welfare and economic development. He pointed out several recent laws passed by the National Assembly that focus on education, healthcare, and governance.

He concluded by stressing that good governance requires effective laws that are relevant to people’s lives, and that the National Assembly is committed to making these changes happen.