State Police Bill Heads to State Assemblies as House Passes Own Version

ABUJA — Nigeria’s landmark State Police Bill is heading to 36 state assemblies after both the Senate and the House of Representatives passed their own versions of the constitutional alteration bill. PM News confirmed Tuesday that the two chambers have now passed the legislation, though in differing forms that will need to be harmonised before transmission to state houses of assembly for ratification.

The Senate’s version, passed earlier in June, establishes a dual policing framework with state commissioners appointed by governors and confirmed by state legislatures, a four-year non-renewable term for commissioners, independent State Police Service Commissions, and dedicated funding mechanisms separate from the national consolidated revenue fund.

Under the new framework, the existing Police Service Commission narrows its scope to manage only federal officers, while states take on full financial responsibility for their local commands. All executive directives to police must be issued in writing, and officers have the legal right to reject unlawful commands. Dedicated Complaints Response Units will handle public grievances.

The Ratification Hurdle

The bill still requires the support of at least 24 of Nigeria’s 36 state houses of assembly, as it involves an alteration to the constitution. That process is expected to take several months and will involve public hearings and stakeholder consultations at the state level. Governors and state assembly speakers have already signalled broad support.

Critics continue to warn that without stronger safeguards, state governors could weaponise local forces against political opponents. US Congressman Riley Moore welcomed the Senate’s passage, describing it as a significant step toward protecting vulnerable communities. Supporters argue that locally recruited, community-based officers will respond faster to kidnapping, banditry, and insurgency than a stretched national force.

What Comes Next

The Senate and House must first resolve differences between their two versions before a unified bill can be transmitted to state assemblies. Legislative leaders have signalled urgency, but resolving bicameral differences and obtaining two-thirds state ratification are expected to extend the process well beyond the second half of 2026.