Nigeria proposes constitutional amendment to establish state police forces

Nigeria is on the verge of a significant shift in its policing structure, as a proposed constitutional amendment seeks to dismantle the decades-old prohibition on state police forces. Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution has long served as a legal barrier, stating that "no other police force shall be established for the Federation or any part thereof."

The Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, currently before the National Assembly, proposes a "Two-Force Architecture." This would establish the Federal Police, succeeding the current Nigeria Police Force with nationwide reach but a defined mandate linked to the Exclusive Legislative List. Alongside it, State Police would be created, responsible for security and public order within each state's constitutional competence, drawing from the Concurrent Legislative List and residual state matters.

A key provision of the bill is the "Certification Gateway." Before any State Police force can become operational, it must be established by a State House of Assembly law and certified by the National Assembly to meet "national minimum standards." This federal quality-control mechanism aims to prevent governors from unilaterally creating state police. Until a state police force is certified, the Federal Police will continue to operate within that state.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is specifically addressed, with the bill placing Abuja entirely under the Federal Police's jurisdiction. No State Police will be permitted to operate within the FCT. This proposed legislation aims to clarify the long-avoided question of jurisdictional boundaries between federal and state law enforcement agencies in Nigeria.