The National Assembly has commenced the process of transmitting the proposed State Police Bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent following the approval of the constitutional amendment by 28 State Houses of Assembly.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, confirming that the number of states that endorsed the bill surpassed the constitutional requirement of approval by at least 24 states, representing two-thirds of the country's 36 state legislatures.
According to Ogunlana, the proposed amendment was forwarded to all 36 State Houses of Assembly on September 16, 2026, with a request for consideration and feedback within 30 days. After receiving and verifying reports from the states, the National Assembly confirmed that 28 legislatures had approved the bill.
He explained that his office had carried out administrative verification of the reports, votes, and proceedings submitted by the states to ensure their authenticity and accuracy before proceeding with the next stage of the amendment process.
“With the required number of approvals secured, the necessary administrative procedures are being completed to facilitate the transmission of the bill to the President for assent in accordance with the Acts Authentication Act,” Ogunlana stated.
The proposed legislation seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to establish State Police Services, a move widely viewed as a significant reform aimed at strengthening Nigeria's security framework.
Although the deadline for state legislatures to submit their decisions expired on October 15, the Clerk noted that reports from additional states would continue to be received until the bill is formally transmitted to the President.
Ogunlana also clarified that Section 9 of the Constitution, which governs constitutional amendments, does not expressly require a third reading for alteration bills, unlike the process applicable to ordinary legislation.
The bill's progress marks a major milestone in the long-standing debate over decentralised policing in Nigeria. Supporters argue that state police would improve intelligence gathering and enable quicker responses to local security threats such as kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, and communal clashes.
However, critics have expressed concerns regarding potential political interference, funding challenges, and the protection of citizens' rights under state-controlled police structures.
If signed into law by President Tinubu, the amendment would pave the way for the creation of state police services across Nigeria, representing one of the most significant changes to the country's security architecture in recent years.
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