Nigeria's State Police Bill Harmonization Set for 2026

The leadership of the Nigerian House of Representatives and Senate is set to harmonize the State Police Bill, with a target for passage in 2026. House spokesman Hon. Akin Rotimi announced the formation of a constitutional conference committee to facilitate amendments to the bill, which includes provisions for state police services.

The committee will be chaired by Hon. Julius Ihonvbere of the APC, Edo, with Hon. Benjamin Kalu serving as the double chairman of a special ad hoc committee for constitutional review. The bill aims to address the current challenges of Nigeria's federal police structure, which is overstretched, covering 923,768 square kilometers and serving a population of 230 million.

The proposed legislation includes strict guardrails to prevent abuse and ensure independent oversight of state police services. Additionally, two ad hoc committees will investigate allegations of presidential foreign intervention and address budgetary delays for 2024-2026.