This copied piece was written by Bolaji Aluko, excepts:
I have not found a full verbatim text of the bill to refer to yet — it hasn’t been published in full by NASS yet (say) on its website. But here’s what’s publicly available right now on the “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) State Police Bill, 2026”:
*1. Official name & status*
– Title: Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) State Police Bill, 2026_ / _Bill No. 7 – A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 to Provide for the Establishment of State Police and for Related Matters (Sixth Alteration) 2026_
– President Tinubu transmitted it to the Senate on 15 June 2026.
– Senate passed it Wednesday after clause-by-clause voting. House of Reps passed it Thursday 11 June 2026 with 289-0-1 votes.
Next step: 24+ state Houses of Assembly must ratify before presidential assent.
*2. Key clauses reported from the draft*
– *Dual policing*: Creates Federal Police Service + 37 State Police Services incl. FCT. Ends federal exclusive control.
– *Governors’ power*: Clause 17 empowers governors to appoint State Commissioners of Police, subject to confirmation by State House of Assembly. Governors can give “lawful directions” on public safety.
– *Federal vs State jurisdiction*: Federal Police handles terrorism, treason, narcotics, interstate crimes, protection of federal assets. State Police handles local offences: armed robbery, homicide, domestic violence, community intelligence. Federal Police can only intervene if governor requests it or there’s total breakdown of law & order.
– *Standards & safeguards*: State Police can’t start operations unless established by State Assembly law + certified to meet “national minimum standards” set by NASS. Bill provides State Police Service Commissions + Federal Police Service Commission for oversight/recruitment to prevent abuse by governors.
– *Constitutional amendments*: Alters Sections 34, 35, 39, 42, 81, 84, 121, 197, 214, 215, 216 etc. Section 214(1) currently “There shall be a Police Force for Nigeria…” would be replaced to allow state police. “Nigeria Police Force” → “Federal Police and State Police”.
– *Funding*: Section 121 would direct-fund state police services from state Consolidated Revenue Fund.
Clause-by-clause breakdown that’s been reported so far for Bill No. 7: _Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill, 2026_
*Key clauses & what they change*
*CLAUSE 1 – Enactment*
Formal clause. Designates the 1999 Constitution as “the Principal Act” so all changes carry constitutional weight.
*CLAUSES 2-5 – Fundamental Rights Provisions*
Alters Sections 34, 35, 39, 42 of the Constitution. These are dignity, personal liberty, freedom of expression, and anti-discrimination sections. The edits are to make them compatible with state-level policing powers.
*SECTION 214 – Police Force for Nigeria*
This is the big one. Current: “There shall be a Police Force for Nigeria”.
Proposed: Replaces it to allow _Federal Police + State Police Services_ for each of the 36 states + FCT. Moves Nigeria from exclusive federal policing to a dual structure.
*CLAUSE 17 – State Commissioners of Police*
“While the Federal Police Service will continue to be headed by the Inspector-General of Police, each State Police Service shall be headed by a Commissioner of Police appointed by the governor and confirmed by the legislature of the state”.
Governors also get power to give “lawful directions” on public safety, security, and policing to the state CP.
*Jurisdiction split reported in the bill*
1. *Federal Police*: Terrorism, treason, narcotics, interstate crimes, protection of federal assets/infrastructure, interstate highways.
2. *State Police*: Armed robbery, homicide, kidnapping, domestic violence, community intelligence, local offences.
Federal Police can only intervene in a state if the governor requests it OR there’s “total breakdown of law and order”.
*Standards & Oversight*
State Police can’t start operations until:
1. State House of Assembly passes a law establishing it
2. It’s certified to meet “national minimum standards” set by NASS.
New bodies: State Police Service Commission + Federal Police Service Commission for recruitment, discipline, oversight. Goal is to prevent governors from using state police for political purposes.
*Funding – Section 121*
Adds direct funding of state police from each state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund. Plus a new National State Police Service Commission to set pay/conditions so it’s not at the governor’s whim.
*Other altered sections*: 81, 84, 121, 197, 215, 216 to reflect the dual structure and funding flows.
The three most controversial sections people being debating:
_Section 214 changes
_Clause 17 governor powers, and
_the “breakdown of law & order” trigger for federal intervention.
*1. Section 214 changes – “There shall be a Police Force for Nigeria”*
*Current 1999 Constitution*: One single Nigeria Police Force under federal control. No state police allowed.
*Proposed change*: Replaces that with “Federal Police Service + State Police Services for each state + FCT”
.
*Why it’s debated*:
– Pro: Supporters say a 200m+ population can’t be policed effectively from Abuja. Local police = faster response + better intelligence.
– Con: Opponents worry it fragments policing. If 37 different forces exist, what about criminals crossing state lines? Plus cost – states have to fund their own force now.
*2. Clause 17 – Governor powers over State CP*
*What the bill says*:
“Each State Police Service shall be headed by a Commissioner of Police appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state House of Assembly”. Governors can also give “lawful directions” on public safety/policing.
*Why it’s debated*:
– Pro: Governors know local threats better and should control deployment. If there’s a herder-farmer clash in Rivers, the Rivers CP should answer to Rivers gov, not IGP in Abuja.
– Con: Big fear of abuse. Critics say “lawful directions” is vague. Could a governor order police to harass opposition, disrupt rallies, or rig elections? That’s why the bill adds State Police Service Commissions + minimum standards – to act as a check.
*3. “Breakdown of law & order” trigger for federal intervention*
*What the bill says*: Federal Police can only enter a state without permission if the governor requests it OR there’s “total breakdown of law and order”.
*Why it’s debated*:
– Pro: Prevents Abuja from overriding state police at will. Protects federalism.
– Con: “Total breakdown” isn’t defined. Who decides when it’s reached? IGP? President? Court? If it’s too hard to trigger, federal backup might arrive too late. If it’s too easy, federal gov could still muscle in.
Those 3 are the core tension: decentralize for efficiency vs centralize to prevent abuse
The safeguards in the bill – minimum standards, service commissions, confirmation by state assemblies – were added because of that abuse concern. That’s what 2 years of consultation were about.
By Bolaji Aluko
June 24, 2026