For twenty-five years, Section 214 of the Nigerian Constitution has acted as a rigid barrier, prohibiting any police force other than the single national agency. The proposed Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, seeks to dismantle this restriction by formalizing a dual structure consisting of a Federal Police and individual State Police forces.
The bill defines the Federal Police as the successor to the current Nigeria Police Force, maintaining broad authority while restricting its mandate to maintaining public order and security across the federation. Conversely, state-level forces will handle matters under the Concurrent Legislative List and local jurisdictional affairs. The Federal Capital Territory is exempted from this shift, remaining under the exclusive control of federal authorities.
A critical component of the bill is the certification process. State police units cannot be activated until they meet national minimum standards established by the National Assembly. Until a state achieves this certification, the Federal Police remains the primary security provider to prevent operational gaps. Furthermore, the bill includes a protective firewall, preventing federal intervention in state security operations unless there is a severe breakdown of law and order or a formal request from the state government, with all such actions requiring approval from the National Police Council.
Structural integrity is maintained through separate chains of command. While the President appoints the Inspector-General and Governors appoint Commissioners, both roles are subject to specific confirmation and oversight processes. Notably, the bill provides a mechanism for Commissioners to challenge potentially unlawful directives from governors by appealing to the National Police Council.
A significant point of contention remains the issue of funding. The bill places the primary financial burden on state governments without providing a guaranteed federal revenue stream or constitutional protection. While federal grants are permitted, they are entirely discretionary and subject to political approval. This creates a potential disparity where wealthier states may establish operational forces rapidly, while states with fewer resources could face delays, potentially leading to a dual-speed implementation of security reforms across the country.