Governors get powers to appoint commissioners under state police bill - Businessday NG

…FG retains oversight

The Senate’s passage of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, has handed governors the constitutional power to appoint state commissioners of police.

However, the legislation places significant safeguards around those appointments and preserves extensive federal powers over policing and national security.

The Senate on Wednesday passed the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, paving the way for the establishment of State Police Services across the federation and bringing the country closer than ever to one of the most far-reaching security reforms since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

One of the most notable provisions of the bill is that governors will appoint State Commissioners of Police, ending concerns that states would have no control over their police leadership.