By Ado Oyeyemi
The Oyo State House of Assembly has approved a constitutional amendment bill seeking to pave the way for the establishment and operation of state police services across Nigeria.
The lawmakers passed the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, on Tuesday after considering its provisions clause by clause during plenary.
The sitting was presided over by the Speaker of the Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, following a letter from the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, requesting the state legislature to consider and approve the proposed amendment.
The bill had earlier been passed by the Senate on June 24, 2026, and the House of Representatives on July 23, 2026.
The National Assembly subsequently urged state legislatures to expedite consideration of the proposal to complete the constitutional amendment process prescribed by Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution.
Speaking during the sitting, Ogundoyin said the proposed amendment would have significant implications for the Oyo Assembly, particularly the need to enact legislation to establish and regulate the state police.
He said, “The passage of the bill would have significant legislative implications for the Oyo Assembly, particularly the need to develop a comprehensive State Police Law capable of translating the constitutional framework into an effective operational institution.”
Explaining the proposed amendment, the Speaker said it would introduce a policing structure comprising the Federal Police Service and State Police Services, with each state empowered to establish its own police service through legislation.
According to him, state police would be responsible for enforcing state laws, maintaining public safety and order, preventing and detecting offences, protecting lives and property and carrying out other local policing duties provided by state law.
Ogundoyin added that the framework would provide for State Police Service Commissions to handle the appointment, promotion, transfer, discipline, oversight, complaints and accountability of personnel serving in the state police.
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He further explained that each State Police Service would be headed by a State Commander of Police, who would be appointed by the governor on the recommendation of the National Police Council and subject to confirmation by the state House of Assembly.
