Nigeria’s parliament has taken a major step toward reshaping the country’s security system after the House of Representatives began a clause-by-clause review of President Bola Tinubu’s executive bill seeking to establish state police across the federation.
The move signals growing momentum behind one of the country’s most significant constitutional reforms in recent years, with lawmakers indicating they may adopt the version already approved by the Senate, making only limited amendments before sending it for final approval.
Leading the review, Deputy Speaker of the House and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Benjamin Kalu, said lawmakers would build on the Senate’s work to accelerate the legislative process. He described the proposed state police framework as a priority reform aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s ability to tackle rising security challenges through a more decentralized policing structure.
The House had previously passed its own constitutional amendment on state police in June. However, lawmakers later withdrew that version after President Bola Tinubu submitted an executive bill, allowing parliament to consider the President’s proposal instead.
According to Kalu, the executive bill has already passed its first and second readings, while extensive consultations held during the National Assembly Open Week fulfilled the public participation process required before detailed legislative consideration.
He urged members of the Constitution Review Committee to carefully examine every provision of the bill to ensure it reflects the expectations of Nigerians while creating a practical framework for improving public safety.
Kalu noted that President Tinubu has consistently supported the creation of state police since his time as governor of Lagos State, describing the proposal as a long-standing solution to Nigeria’s complex security challenges. He said the President’s current push for constitutional backing demonstrates continuity between his previous advocacy and his administration’s reform agenda.
The Deputy Speaker also stressed that although the executive, legislature and judiciary operate independently, cooperation among the arms of government remains essential in addressing national security concerns. He explained that lawmakers convened outside their regular parliamentary schedule because of the urgency attached to the legislation.
During the review, members will use the Senate-approved version of the executive bill as their working document. The draft includes additional provisions covering interpretation, transitional arrangements and implementation measures designed to support the rollout of a state policing system if the amendment is eventually approved.
Lawmakers are also expected to examine several amendments introduced by the Senate and adopt those considered appropriate before presenting the final version to the House for approval.
If passed by both chambers and signed into law by President Tinubu, the constitutional amendment would pave the way for the establishment of state police forces, creating a multi-tier policing system intended to strengthen security coordination, improve local law enforcement and enhance the country’s response to crime across Nigeria.
The development marks one of the most important stages in Nigeria’s ongoing constitutional review process and could significantly reshape policing and internal security in Africa’s most populous nation.
