The National Assembly is expected to pass the long-debated state police bill this week, according to the Senate Leader, marking a major step in Nigeria’s ongoing security reform discussions.

The bill, which has been under consideration for some time, seeks to establish a decentralised policing system that allows state governments to have more control over security operations within their jurisdictions.

Speaking on the development, the Senate Leader expressed confidence that lawmakers are in the final stages of deliberation and that the legislation would be concluded within the week.

He noted that the proposed reform is aimed at improving response times to security threats and strengthening collaboration between federal and state security structures.

The idea of state police has generated wide national debate, with supporters arguing that it will help tackle rising insecurity more effectively, while critics have raised concerns about potential abuse and political interference at the state level.

Despite differing opinions, lawmakers say there is growing consensus on the need to reform Nigeria’s policing structure to reflect current security realities.

If passed, the bill will mark one of the most significant changes to Nigeria’s internal security framework in recent years.

Analysts say the outcome of the legislation could reshape how policing is managed across the country and redefine the balance of security responsibilities between federal and state authorities.