Osun Assembly: Unanimously Approves State Police Amendment

• The Osun State House of Assembly unanimously approved a constitutional amendment to allow for the creation of state police.
• This approval followed a request from the National Assembly for state assemblies to deliberate on the proposed alteration.
• Lawmakers supported the measure, citing its potential to enhance security and strengthen local law enforcement capabilities.
• The move is a significant step in Nigeria's broader effort towards decentralized policing and security reform.
• During the same plenary, the Osun State Park Management System Bill, 2026, also underwent further consideration and amendment.

The constitutional amendment process, of which this approval is a part, seeks to fundamentally alter the operational dynamics of law enforcement across Nigeria.

The Osun State House of Assembly has taken a significant step towards the creation of state police, unanimously approving a proposed constitutional alteration to enable its establishment. This pivotal decision was reached during a plenary session held on Tuesday, marking a crucial moment in the ongoing efforts to decentralize policing in Nigeria. The approval by the Osun Assembly signifies its endorsement of a nationwide initiative aimed at reforming the country's security architecture.

Speaker Adewale Egbedun informed the lawmakers that the National Assembly had dispatched a formal request to all State Houses of Assembly across the federation. This communication urged them to deliberate upon and subsequently approve the proposed constitutional amendment. Speaker Egbedun further clarified that the amendment had been officially transmitted to the Osun House for its thorough consideration and ultimate approval, aligning with the established constitutional amendment processes. This action by the Osun Assembly contributes to the broader Nigeria state police constitutional amendment drive.

During the deliberations, several lawmakers voiced strong support for the passage of the Osun House of Assembly state police bill, emphasizing its potential to significantly enhance security across the nation. Lawrence Adeoti, representing Ife South State Constituency, and Taofeek Olayiwola, from Ede South State Constituency, both articulated their belief that establishing state police would bolster the country's overall security framework. Their arguments highlighted the necessity of empowering states with more localized control over law enforcement.

Further contributions to the debate came from Adewumi Adeyemi of Obokun State Constituency and Jeremiah Awoyeye, representing Ife Central State Constituency. They both described the proposed establishment of state police as exceptionally timely, asserting that such a move would strengthen the security architecture, particularly at the state and local government levels. These lawmakers maintained that the proposed amendment would substantially "enhance the ability of states to provide adequate security personnel and respond more effectively to security challenges within their respective jurisdictions." Following these extensive discussions, the Assembly’s Majority Leader, Babajide Kofoworola, representing Ede North State Constituency, formally moved the motion for the House to officially support the proposed amendment, a motion that was subsequently seconded by Tajudeen Adeyemi, representing Ifelodun State Constituency, solidifying the unanimous decision.

The Osun Assembly's approval represents a critical juncture in the push for decentralized policing Nigeria reform. This endorsement is not merely a local legislative action but a component of a larger national effort to redefine security responsibilities and capabilities. The move toward state police aims to address persistent security challenges by allowing states to tailor law enforcement responses to their unique local contexts, potentially leading to more efficient and community-responsive policing.

The constitutional amendment process, of which this approval is a part, seeks to fundamentally alter the operational dynamics of law enforcement across Nigeria. Should the amendment ultimately be enacted, it would empower state governments with greater autonomy in managing security personnel and resources, thereby impacting jurisdictional issues and the nature of law enforcement interactions. This development holds significant implications for legal practitioners and compliance officers, who will need to monitor the evolving security landscape and its effects on clients operating within various states. In a separate legislative matter during the same Tuesday plenary, the House also dissolved into the Committee of the Whole to further consider the Osun State Park Management System Bill, 2026, where proposed amendments and corrections were reviewed and adopted as part of the bill.

This approval by the Osun Assembly is a significant step in the constitutional amendment process for state police in Nigeria. Lawyers and compliance officers should closely monitor its progress, as eventual enactment will fundamentally alter the policing landscape, impacting jurisdictional issues, law enforcement interactions, and security compliance requirements for clients operating within the country.

Source: Original reporting via The Punch Newspaper