The Nigerian Senate passed a bill on Wednesday, June 25, 2026 [2], allowing each state to establish its own police force.

This legislative shift represents a fundamental change in Nigeria's security architecture. By decentralizing law enforcement, the government aims to address chronic insecurity that has plagued the nation, moving away from a strictly centralized federal police model to a dual system.

The legislation is officially titled the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026 [1]. The bill empowers state governors to appoint police commissioners, providing local governments with more direct control over the security personnel operating within their borders.

Lawmakers in the National Assembly in Abuja conducted a clause-by-clause vote before the final approval. This process was designed to ensure that the transition to state-level policing does not undermine national stability or the existing federal framework.

Under the new provisions, the federal government retains certain emergency powers. This ensures that the central authority can still intervene in crises that transcend state boundaries or threaten the sovereignty of the republic.

The move comes after years of debate regarding the inefficiency of a single, centralized police force managing a diverse and vast population. Proponents said that state police will have a better understanding of local terrain and intelligence, leading to more effective crime prevention and response times.

“The Nigerian Senate passed a bill allowing each state to establish its own police force.”

The transition to a dual policing system is a strategic attempt to close security gaps that the federal police have struggled to fill. By granting governors the power to appoint commissioners and manage local forces, Nigeria is betting that localized intelligence and accountability will reduce crime more effectively than a distant central command. However, the success of this reform depends on whether state governments can maintain professional standards and avoid using these forces as political tools.