ABUJA, NIGERIA — The House of Representatives has approved the State Police Bill, marking a significant step toward the decentralisation of Nigeria’s policing system amid growing concerns over insecurity across the country.
The bill received overwhelming support during Thursday’s plenary session, with 289 lawmakers voting in favour of the proposal and only one member voting against it. The session was presided over by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
The approval followed extensive deliberations as the lower chamber dedicated its sitting to considering constitutional amendment proposals, including measures aimed at addressing Nigeria’s persistent security challenges.
The proposed establishment of state police has been a subject of national debate for years, with proponents arguing that decentralised policing would improve intelligence gathering, enhance rapid response capabilities, and strengthen security at the grassroots level. Supporters also contend that state-controlled police formations would be better positioned to understand local security dynamics and respond effectively to emerging threats.
During proceedings, a brief controversy emerged when Bashir Zubairu, a lawmaker representing Kaduna State, raised a point of order concerning the process.
Zubairu argued that members had only received the report prepared by the House Committee on Constitution Review earlier in the day and had insufficient time to thoroughly study its contents before voting.
Addressing the chamber, he maintained that lawmakers needed adequate time to review the document in order to make informed decisions on its provisions. However, the Speaker ruled him out of order and directed that proceedings continue.
As deliberations progressed, some lawmakers were heard raising points of order, but the Speaker declined to entertain further interruptions, insisting that the legislative process move forward.
Before the commencement of voting, Abbas informed members that the electronic voting system was not functioning. Consequently, voting was conducted based on attendance records and physical participation in the chamber.
Out of the 290 lawmakers present during the session, 289 voted in support of the bill, demonstrating broad bipartisan backing for the proposal. The Speaker did not participate in the vote, in line with parliamentary convention.
The approval represents one of the most consequential legislative developments in Nigeria’s ongoing constitutional reform process. Advocates of state policing have repeatedly cited rising incidents of kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, communal clashes, and other security threats as evidence of the need for a more decentralised security architecture.
Despite the House’s approval, the bill must still complete additional constitutional processes before becoming law. Constitutional amendment proposals require concurrence by the Senate and approval by a specified number of state Houses of Assembly before they can receive presidential assent.
If eventually enacted, the legislation could fundamentally reshape Nigeria’s security framework by granting states greater responsibility for maintaining law and order within their jurisdictions.
The development comes as public pressure continues to mount on policymakers to adopt innovative solutions to address the country’s evolving security challenges and strengthen the protection of lives and property nationwide.
