§215 Appointment and command of the Nigeria Police Force — CFRN 1999

The Text

There shall be an Inspector-General of Police who, subject to section 216(2) of this Constitution, shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council from among serving members of the Nigeria Police Force; and a Commissioner of Police for each State of the Federation who shall be appointed by the Police Service Commission. The Nigeria Police Force shall be under the command of the Inspector-General of Police and any contingents of the Nigeria Police Force stationed in a State shall, subject to the authority of the Inspector-General of Police, be under the command of the Commissioner of Police of that State.

Footnote · Amendments to this section

[1] Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026 — State Police · 2026
What · Rewrites §215 to split command authority. The Federal Inspector-General commands the Federal Police; each State Commissioner of the State Police Force is appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of a State Police Service Commission and is removable only on an address of two-thirds of the State House of Assembly. The Governor may issue lawful directives to the State CP on matters of public order; where the State CP requires the matter to be referred, the dispute is escalated to the Nigeria Police Council (not the President alone, as under the 1999 text). Federal Police may only intervene in a State on three triggers: a breakdown of public order beyond the State's capacity, a written request from the Governor, or a Presidential proclamation under §305.
When · 2026
Who · 10th National Assembly; passed by the House of Representatives on 11 June 2026; pending Senate concurrence and ratification by 24 State Houses of Assembly.
Role · NASS originating; State HoAs to concur; Presidency to assent under §9(3A).
How · §9(2) procedure — 2/3 majority of both chambers + concurrence by 2/3 of State HoA.
Instrument · Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026 — State Police

Era context — at the time of amendment

The political and economic reality

Who held office, the cabinet of the day, the GDP, and the crises that shaped each alteration to this section.

President · Fourth Republic

Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu

2023–present· APC

National reality

Fuel subsidy removed at inauguration (29 May 2023); naira floated June 2023. Inflation at multi-decade highs (>30% YoY in 2024). Student loan scheme (NELFUND) launched 2024. WAEC torchlight exam controversy (2025).

Crises of the period

Cost-of-living crisis 2023–25
WAEC torchlight examinations (2025)
JAMB CBT technical failures (2025)
Naira free-fall 2023–24

GDP (World Bank)

≈ $363 bn (2023, post-float)

Cabinet (selected portfolios)

Finance
Wale Edun (Coordinating Minister of the Economy)
Justice (AGF)
Lateef Fagbemi (SAN)
Education
Tahir Mamman (2023–24); Tunji Alausa (2024– )

Sources · Federal Gazette 2023– · CBN · NBS

How to cite this section

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), §215 — Appointment and command of the Nigeria Police Force. Retrieved from The Republic, therepublic.extrafemi.com/constitution/executive/215.

Source · Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended · §215