The House of Representatives has passed a constitutional amendment seeking to establish state police in Nigeria, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to reform its policing structure.
The amendment received overwhelming support from lawmakers during voting on the constitutional review proposals.
Announcing the result, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, said the proposal secured 289 votes in favour, one vote against, and no abstentions, out of a total of 290 votes cast.
The approval represents a major milestone in the push for state policing, a long-debated issue that proponents argue will enhance security by allowing states to establish and manage their own police services alongside federal security agencies.
The House also deferred consideration of several other constitutional amendment proposals to a future legislative session.
The passage of the state police amendment forms part of the ongoing constitutional review process aimed at addressing governance, security, and institutional reforms across the country.
The proposal will proceed through the remaining constitutional amendment process, including consideration by the Senate and approval by at least two-thirds of the State Houses of Assembly before it can become part of the Constitution.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, announced that constitutional amendments to establish state police garnered support as follows: 289 votes in favor, 1 against, 0 abstentions, with a total of 290 votes cast. https://t.co/rBGYfihYOU pic.twitter.com/WGeaZAdH9e
— Imran Muhammad (@Imranmuhdz) June 11, 2026
