Chesa Chesa
Nigeria’s proposed state police system has moved closer to becoming a reality following the passage of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, by both chambers of the National Assembly, but policy experts at Nextier have warned that the reform could fail without strong legal, financial and institutional safeguards.
In a new policy brief titled “State Police: From Passage to Practice – Safeguarding Nigeria’s Most Consequential Security Reform Since 1999,” Nextier said the constitutional amendment represents a major milestone but stressed that implementation, rather than passage, will determine whether state police improve security or create new governance challenges.
The policy brief was authored by Samuel Oluwajobi, a Data and Research Consultant with over four years of experience in conflict analysis, security governance, and development research; and Khadijat Shuaibu Riko, a Policy Research and Program Support Analyst with Nextier)l.
The bill, which secured the support of 289 members of the House of Representatives and 84 senators, seeks to replace Nigeria’s centralised policing structure with a Federal Police Service operating alongside optional State Police Services. It still requires ratification by at least 24 State Houses of Assembly and presidential assent before becoming law.
According to the policy think tank, the legislation addresses longstanding concerns over the overstretched Nigeria Police Force and rising insecurity, but also revives longstanding fears about political interference, funding disparities and weak oversight.
Nextier noted that although the proposed framework limits governors’ operational control over state police by vesting personnel management in independent State Police Service Commissions, those protections will only be effective if the institutions responsible for enforcing them remain independent.
The organisation also observed that Nigeria’s previous experiment with regional policing between 1960 and 1966 ended after police forces became vulnerable to political manipulation, warning that history offers important lessons for the current reform.
The report identified funding as one of the biggest threats to successful implementation, arguing that many states may struggle to finance professional police services without additional support.
It also warned that the expected rollout of state police ahead of the 2027 general elections could increase concerns about political misuse if adequate safeguards are not put in place.
To address these concerns, Nextier outlined six key recommendations for policymakers.
First, it urged State Houses of Assembly not to ratify the constitutional amendment until binding guarantees on minimum funding levels and police welfare are included in the enabling legislation.
Second, the organisation called on the National Assembly to urgently pass a comprehensive Police Act establishing uniform national standards for recruitment, training, certification and equipment before any state police service becomes operational.
Third, Nextier recommended the establishment of State Security Trust Funds financed through state budget allocations, federal transitional support and private-sector contributions to reduce disparities between wealthier and less financially viable states.
The think tank also advised that State Police Service Commissions should be constitutionally protected from political interference, with the judiciary and the Nigeria Police Council empowered to serve as effective oversight institutions.
In addition, it urged civil society organisations, the National Human Rights Commission and the media to establish independent monitoring mechanisms well before the 2027 elections to track the conduct of state police and provide credible evidence where federal intervention may become necessary.
Finally, Nextier called on the Federal Government and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to prioritise local government funding autonomy and reforms, arguing that effective grassroots governance is essential for successful community policing.
The organisation maintained that while Nigeria has crossed an important constitutional threshold, the more difficult task lies ahead.
It said sustainable financing, professional recruitment, independent oversight and clear operational standards would determine whether state police become a transformative security reform or simply replicate existing governance challenges under a decentralised system.
According to Nextier, the enabling legislation expected from the National Assembly will be critical in setting national standards for recruitment, use of force, intelligence sharing and coordination between federal and state police agencies, ensuring that the reform strengthens public safety without compromising accountability or democratic governance.
