The House of Representatives has withdrawn its earlier approval of the State Police Bill and commenced consideration of a new version submitted by President Bola Tinubu.
Gatekeepers News reports that the decision was taken during Tuesday’s plenary after Francis Waive, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, moved a motion urging lawmakers to reconsider the legislation.
Waive explained that fresh developments had emerged concerning the bill’s provisions, making it necessary to review its clauses to ensure they align with Nigeria’s national security framework.
As part of the resolution, the House rescinded its June 11 decision on the bill and dissolved the conference committee previously constituted to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions.
The move followed the presentation of a letter from President Tinubu, read on the floor of the House by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
In the correspondence, the President urged lawmakers to consider the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, which seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide a legal basis for the establishment of state police services.
“I am delighted to present to the House of Representatives for consideration the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, which seeks to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to create a constitutional pathway for the establishment of State Police Services,” the letter stated.
Tinubu said the proposed legislation builds on the work already carried out by the House while introducing additional safeguards to ensure that the creation of a dual policing system addresses Nigeria’s evolving security challenges effectively.
He described the bill as a key element of his administration’s plan to reform the country’s security architecture and improve the protection of lives and property.
The President also expressed hope for the “expeditious consideration” of the proposal by the National Assembly.
Following the reading of the letter, the House gave Tinubu’s version of the bill its first and second readings.
The Senate had earlier passed the State Police Bill on June 24, after Senate President Godswill Akpabio presented a similar request from the President seeking legislative approval for the proposed policing framework.
Under Nigeria’s current constitutional arrangement, policing and other security services established by law fall exclusively under the control of the Federal Government.
The proposed amendment seeks to transfer policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List, allowing both the National Assembly and state houses of assembly to make laws on policing and related security matters.
The bill also provides that while the National Assembly would determine the structure, administration and powers of the Federal Police, it would establish the framework and minimum standards for the creation and operation of state police services.
It further stipulates that no state police service can begin operations unless it is established through legislation passed by the relevant state house of assembly and certified as meeting national standards prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.
If eventually passed by both chambers of the National Assembly, the constitutional amendment will be forwarded to the 36 state houses of assembly, where it must secure the approval of at least 24 legislatures before being transmitted to President Tinubu for assent.
