Nigeria’s move towards establishing state police has reached a crucial stage as 28 State Houses of Assembly have approved the constitutional amendment bill seeking to create State Police Services.
The National Assembly confirmed on Tuesday that the bill will now be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for final approval after the required number of states endorsed the amendment.
The development was contained in a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, Esq.
Ogunlana said the National Assembly received reports from 28 State Houses of Assembly approving the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill on State Police Services and related matters.
The bill was sent to all 36 State Houses of Assembly on September 16, 2026, for consideration and approval, with a 30-day period given for their responses.
The Clerk explained that although the deadline elapsed on October 15, his office continued to receive reports from state assemblies.
He said the 28 approvals exceeded the constitutional requirement of two-thirds of the 36 state assemblies, which is equivalent to 24 states.
The National Assembly added that it verified the reports and accompanying votes and proceedings from the states to confirm their authenticity.
With the required threshold achieved, the bill will now be forwarded to President Tinubu for assent in line with the constitutional amendment process.
The proposed state police system is expected to give states greater responsibility in policing and improve responses to security challenges at the local level.
The National Assembly described the development as a major step towards strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture and deepening the country’s federal system.
Attention now shifts to President Tinubu, whose assent will determine the next phase of the long-awaited state police reform.
