Nigeria is moving closer to a security revolution with the creation of state police forces.

The Nigerian Parliament has taken a decisive step by adopting a constitutional amendment that would allow each of the country's 36 states to create and manage its own police force, in addition to the federal police. This reform, debated for many years, aims to address the persistently deteriorating security situation in the country.

The bill was overwhelmingly approved by members of the House of Representatives. The Senate was also expected to vote on it later that day, paving the way for one of the most significant transformations of Nigeria's security system in decades.

Proponents of reform believe that a decentralized model will allow for a faster and more effective response to local threats. Nigeria faces multiple security challenges, including armed insurgencies, mass kidnappings, communal clashes, and attacks by criminal groups in several regions of the country.

President Bola Tinubu supports this development, which its proponents consider essential for strengthening security at the local level. According to them, state authorities are often better positioned to understand the realities on the ground and respond to crises affecting their populations.

The reform, however, has raised concerns. Some critics fear that governors could use these future police forces for political purposes or to increase their influence. Others worry about funding difficulties, particularly in the poorest states, which may struggle to maintain effective security services.

Despite these concerns, the adoption of the bill marks a major step forward in Nigeria's efforts to rethink its security architecture. Faced with insecurity that has become one of the country's primary concerns, the authorities hope that a police force more deeply rooted in local realities will help improve the protection of the population and restore trust in law enforcement institutions.