Historic constitutional push gathers momentum as National Assembly confirms approval by 28 state assemblies, surpassing the required two-thirds threshold.
Nigeria has moved a significant step closer to establishing state police following confirmation that 28 State Houses of Assembly have approved the proposed constitutional amendment, paving the way for the National Assembly to transmit the bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
The development, announced on Tuesday by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, Esq., marks a major milestone in the country's long-running debate over decentralising its policing structure.
In a statement, Ogunlana disclosed that his office had received and verified reports from 28 state assemblies confirming their approval of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, which seeks to establish State Police Services and provide for related matters.
The figure comfortably exceeds the constitutional requirement of at least 24 state assemblies out of 36, representing the mandatory two-thirds threshold under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution.
THE 28-STATE BREAKTHROUGH
According to the Clerk, the bill was transmitted to all 36 state assemblies on September 16, 2026, with a 30-day deadline for their decisions to be communicated to the National Assembly.
Although the stipulated period expired on October 15, Ogunlana said his office would continue accepting reports from state assemblies until the bill is formally transmitted for presidential assent.
He confirmed that the National Assembly had completed the necessary administrative verification of the reports, including the accompanying votes and proceedings, to establish their authenticity.
With the required threshold now secured, attention has shifted to the presidency as the National Assembly prepares to forward the bill to Tinubu.
NO THIRD READING REQUIRED
In a clarification that could prove significant to the legislative process, the National Assembly stated that Section 9 of the Constitution does not expressly require a Third Reading for a Constitution Alteration Bill, unlike the procedure applicable to ordinary legislation.
The clarification addresses a procedural issue surrounding the amendment and reinforces the Assembly's position that the necessary constitutional requirements have been met.
The transmission to the President is expected to proceed in accordance with the Acts Authentication Act, CAP A2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
A NEW CHAPTER IN NIGERIA'S SECURITY ARCHITECTURE?
The proposed establishment of state police represents a major constitutional question with far-reaching implications for Nigeria's security structure and federal system.
Supporters of decentralised policing have long argued that allowing states to establish their own police services could bring law enforcement closer to local communities and improve responses to security threats.
However, the proposal also raises important questions about funding, accountability, political interference, human rights protection and the relationship between state police services and the existing federal police structure.
For now, the constitutional amendment has crossed a critical legislative hurdle. The next major development will be the formal transmission of the bill to President Tinubu for assent.
The National Assembly commended the state assemblies for their cooperation and timely response, describing the amendment as a significant step towards strengthening Nigeria's security architecture and deepening its federal system.
After years of debate over who should control policing in Nigeria, the state police question is now approaching a defining moment.
State Police Bill Clears Hurdle As 28 States Approve, Awaits Tinubu’s Assent
