The House of Representatives has withdrawn its proposed constitutional amendment bill seeking the establishment of state police and has opted to consider a similar proposal submitted by President Bola Tinubu.
The decision was taken during plenary on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, as lawmakers agreed that the Executive-sponsored bill should serve as the primary legislation for the creation of state police across the country.
The move effectively suspends the House’s earlier proposal and shifts legislative attention to the constitutional amendment bill transmitted by President Tinubu to the National Assembly as part of his administration’s efforts to reform Nigeria’s policing system.
Following the withdrawal of the House bill, lawmakers proceeded to consider the Executive-backed proposal, which seeks to establish a legal framework for the creation and operation of state police alongside the Nigeria Police Force.
The proposed amendment is expected to redefine policing responsibilities between the Federal Government and the states, with safeguards aimed at preventing abuse of state-controlled police formations while improving security across the federation.
The state police initiative has remained one of the country’s most debated constitutional reforms, with supporters arguing that decentralising policing would improve responses to insecurity, while critics have warned against the possibility of political misuse by state governments.
President Tinubu formally transmitted the constitutional amendment bill to the National Assembly in June 2026, urging lawmakers to expedite its consideration as part of broader efforts to address the country’s security challenges.
With the House now aligning with the Executive’s proposal, both chambers of the National Assembly are expected to continue legislative work on the bill as the process for the constitutional amendment moves forward.