The Presidency has announced that the process of amending the Constitution to facilitate the establishment of state police is nearing completion. Following months of intensive consultations involving the Executive branch, the National Assembly, and key security authorities, officials have confirmed that significant progress has been made in developing a robust legal framework. Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed this on Thursday, June 4, 2026, following a high-level consultative meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Addressing the complexities of the reform, Gbajabiamila emphasized that decentralizing the nation's policing structure is a meticulous process that cannot be rushed. He explained that current deliberations have moved past the fundamental question of whether state police should exist, shifting instead toward finalizing the specific constitutional amendments and institutional architecture required for its operation. According to the Chief of Staff, once the necessary constitutional adjustments are secured, the enabling legislation to operationalize the new structure will follow immediately.
The consultative meeting was attended by high-ranking officials, including the Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau; the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; and the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu. The Presidency underscored that President Bola Tinubu, a vocal advocate for decentralization as a vital component of his security reforms, is expected to receive a comprehensive report on the meeting’s outcome shortly. This development marks a pivotal step in the ongoing efforts to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges, including banditry and insurgency.
The push for state police has long been one of the most debated issues in Nigerian governance since 1999, often complicated by concerns regarding potential political abuse and funding. However, the current administration has maintained that a decentralized system is essential for strengthening grassroots security, enhancing local intelligence gathering, and improving the responsiveness of sub-national governments. As the constitutional framework nears its final form, the focus remains on creating a dynamic and accountable system capable of safeguarding communities across the country.
