The Kwara State House of Assembly has voted in favour of a constitutional amendment that could allow states across Nigeria to establish their own police forces.
The decision was reached during Tuesday’s plenary in Ilorin, following the presentation of a request from the National Assembly seeking the state lawmakers’ position on the proposed constitutional changes.
The Speaker, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, presented the correspondence before members considered the proposal.
The Assembly’s position was confirmed in a statement by the Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary, Abdulkadir Yusuf.
During deliberations, the House Leader, Mogaji Oba Abdulkadri, outlined how state policing could reshape security operations and improve the country’s response to crime.
Other lawmakers also backed the proposal, arguing that allowing states to manage their own police services could make security operations more responsive to the needs of local communities.
Following the debate, Danladi-Salihu directed the Clerk of the House, Ahmed Olayiwola, to notify the National Assembly of the lawmakers’ decision.
Kwara’s approval comes as Nigeria continues to consider a major change to its policing structure amid persistent security concerns, including kidnapping, banditry and violent attacks in several parts of the country.
The proposed amendment seeks to create a constitutional basis for state police to operate alongside the existing Nigeria Police Force, potentially giving state authorities a greater role in addressing security threats within their territories.
The National Assembly had earlier circulated the proposal to state legislatures for consideration as part of the constitutional review process.
Under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution, at least 24 state assemblies must approve a constitutional alteration before it can move forward.
Supporters of the proposed system argue that state police could strengthen community-level intelligence, improve response times and help security agencies tackle crimes more effectively.
However, the approval by the Kwara Assembly does not mean the state can immediately establish its own police force. The proposal must still pass through the remaining constitutional procedures before state policing can become operational.
