The National Assembly is preparing to transmit the proposed State Police Bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent after 28 state Houses of Assembly approved the constitutional amendment.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, saying the approvals had been authenticated and exceeded the constitutionally required minimum of 24 states.
Ogunlana said the bill was sent to all 36 state assemblies on September 16, 2026, for consideration, with a request that their decisions be communicated within 30 days. Although the October 15 deadline has passed, his office continued receiving reports from state legislatures.
He explained that Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution requires approval from at least two-thirds of the state assemblies, equivalent to 24 states, for a constitutional amendment. He also clarified that the section does not expressly require a third reading for constitutional alteration bills.
The proposed amendment seeks to establish State Police Services and provide the legal framework for decentralised policing. Nigeria currently operates a centrally controlled police system, with state governments lacking independent police commands.
Supporters of state police say the arrangement could improve intelligence gathering and enable security agencies to respond more effectively to local threats, including kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and communal violence. However, concerns remain over possible political interference, inadequate funding and human rights protection.
Ogunlana described the approvals as an important step towards strengthening Nigeria’s security system and federal structure. He said administrative processes were underway to transmit the bill to Tinubu in accordance with the Acts Authentication Act, paving the way for the next stage of the constitutional amendment process.
