The Lagos State House of Assembly has endorsed the proposed establishment of state police in Nigeria but called for a clearer constitutional division of responsibilities between federal and state authorities. The lawmakers unanimously supported the proposal during plenary on Tuesday, October 27, after considering the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 Sixth Alteration Bill, 2026, transmitted by the National Assembly to state legislatures. Speaker Mudashiru Obasa described the proposed reform as an important development in efforts to address insecurity but expressed concern that the existing provisions could leave excessive policing powers under federal control. The Assembly maintained that state governments must have sufficient constitutional authority to manage their security institutions if the proposed system is to achieve its objectives.
Obasa explained that demands for state police had remained prominent in Nigeria’s constitutional and security discussions through successive legislatures, reflecting concerns about the effectiveness of a centrally controlled police system. He acknowledged the contributions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly towards advancing the amendment but warned that the proposed legal framework required further improvement. According to the Speaker, establishing state police without granting states meaningful authority over their operations could undermine the purpose of decentralisation. He urged lawmakers to develop constitutional provisions that would clearly identify the respective powers, responsibilities and administrative functions of federal and state police organisations, thereby reducing the possibility of institutional disputes.
The proposed amendment seeks to establish a dual policing system under which the Nigeria Police Force would operate alongside police services created by individual states. Under Nigeria’s existing constitutional arrangement, the police remain a federal institution, limiting the power of states to establish independent police forces with comparable law enforcement authority. The amendment would move policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List, enabling both federal and state legislatures to make laws within the proposed framework. Supporters argue that the arrangement could improve responses to local security threats by bringing law enforcement closer to communities. However, the precise boundaries of jurisdiction, command structures and circumstances permitting federal intervention remain central issues in the ongoing constitutional debate.
The Lagos Assembly insisted that the final amendment must clearly define the relationship between federal and state police commands to prevent overlapping responsibilities and disagreements over operational authority. Obasa argued that state governments should have greater control over security arrangements within their territories while maintaining an appropriate framework for cooperation with federal authorities. The Speaker’s concerns included the possibility that broad federal powers could weaken the independence of state police services or create confusion during security operations. A clearer division of responsibilities could help determine which institution handles particular offences, how investigations crossing state boundaries are coordinated and when federal assistance may be required. The lawmakers emphasised that these issues should be resolved through constitutional safeguards rather than left entirely to future administrative decisions.
Beyond the distribution of policing powers, Obasa called for constitutional recognition of parliamentary police responsible for protecting legislative institutions and their personnel. He argued that dedicated security arrangements could help preserve the independence of state legislatures and prevent interference with their constitutional responsibilities. The Speaker referred to previous incidents in which legislative buildings were allegedly closed or demolished following disputes involving state executives, saying stronger institutional safeguards were necessary. His proposal would introduce another dimension to the policing reform debate by addressing security within legislative institutions. However, the specific structure, powers, funding arrangements and oversight mechanisms of any parliamentary police organisation have not been finalised.
Following deliberations, the Lagos lawmakers unanimously adopted the proposal while maintaining their reservations about the distribution of authority. Obasa directed the Clerk of the House, Adenike Oshinowo, to formally communicate the Assembly’s observations and recommendations to the National Assembly for further consideration. The decision allows Lagos to join other states supporting constitutional changes aimed at creating state police, while placing its preferred safeguards on record. The Assembly’s endorsement does not, by itself, establish a Lagos State Police Service or authorise the immediate recruitment and deployment of state police officers. Additional constitutional and legislative processes must be completed before a new policing framework can take effect.
The National Assembly is coordinating the constitutional amendment process as state legislatures consider the proposed policing reforms.
The Lagos decision comes as the proposed constitutional amendment continues to receive support from other state legislatures. Reports published on October 28 indicated that at least 28 state Houses of Assembly had endorsed the proposal, exceeding the constitutional requirement for approval by two thirds of Nigeria’s 36 states. Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution requires the support of at least 24 state assemblies, alongside the necessary National Assembly majorities, for an ordinary constitutional alteration. The development represents significant progress towards creating a decentralised policing system, although the amendment must still complete the remaining legislative requirements and obtain presidential assent. The Federal Government is also developing complementary legislation intended to establish the operational framework for the proposed federal and state policing arrangements.
The debate over state police has continued for decades, reflecting longstanding concerns about the ability of federal security institutions to respond effectively to criminal activities across Nigeria’s diverse communities. In July 2021, the Lagos State House of Assembly renewed its demand for state policing following concerns about political violence and threats to public safety. More recently, in July 2026, lawmakers again advocated stronger state control over police administration, including recruitment, appointments and operational responsibilities. These earlier discussions demonstrate that Lagos’s latest position is part of a sustained campaign for greater security decentralisation rather than a new policy demand. Supporters of the proposal maintain that officers with a stronger understanding of local communities could improve intelligence gathering, crime prevention and emergency responses.
Community security initiatives in Lagos illustrate existing efforts to strengthen local security while the debate over constitutionally recognised state police continues.
Despite growing legislative support, the proposed establishment of state police continues to raise questions about accountability, political interference, funding and the protection of citizens’ rights. Critics have warned that police organisations controlled by state authorities could potentially be used against political opponents, journalists or individuals involved in legitimate protests if adequate safeguards are not established. There are also concerns about whether financially constrained states could consistently fund recruitment, salaries, training and essential equipment. Supporters argue that these risks can be addressed through independent oversight, transparent appointment procedures, legislative supervision and enforceable standards governing police conduct. The Lagos Assembly’s demand for clearer constitutional provisions therefore reflects a broader need to balance local operational authority with accountability and protection against abuse.
As of October 28, 2026, the Lagos State House of Assembly has formally endorsed the state police amendment and directed that its recommendations be forwarded to the National Assembly. Although the proposal has secured substantial support among state legislatures, the final constitutional wording, division of federal and state responsibilities and operational arrangements remain subject to the completion of the legislative process. The proposed National Policing Bill, 2026, is also undergoing further drafting and review to provide a legal structure for the new system once the constitutional requirements are satisfied. For Nigerians concerned about insecurity, the outcome could reshape how law enforcement services are organised and delivered across the federation. However, the effectiveness of state policing will ultimately depend on clearly defined powers, sustainable funding, professional training, independent oversight and practical cooperation between federal and state security institutions.
