The proposed establishment of state police in Nigeria has suffered a setback, with only five of the country’s 36 state Houses of Assembly approving the constitutional amendment as the deadline for their responses approaches.
The approving states are Edo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers and Zamfara, while the remaining 31 assemblies had yet to make a final decision as of Thursday, 15 October 2026.
The development comes despite the National Assembly giving state legislatures 30 days to communicate their positions on the proposed amendment, which was transmitted to them on 16 September 2026.
Under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution, at least 24 of the 36 state assemblies must approve a constitutional amendment before the process can advance towards presidential assent.
With only five states backing the proposal so far, the bill remains far short of the required two-thirds majority.
Why Are the States Delaying?
Several state assemblies are still examining the proposal, consulting stakeholders or waiting to begin formal deliberations.
In Anambra, the Clerk of the House of Assembly, Tony Ughenu, confirmed that lawmakers had received the bill but had yet to list it for consideration.
In Imo State, lawmakers attributed the delay partly to the timing of the bill’s arrival, which coincided with the Assembly’s recess.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State House of Assembly said it was studying the provisions and planned to hold a public hearing before taking a final position.
The consultations reflect ongoing discussions about how state police would operate and what safeguards would be needed to prevent abuse.
Senate Insists Bill Will Become Law
Despite the slow response from state legislatures, the Senate has expressed confidence that the constitutional amendment will be completed before the tenure of the 10th National Assembly ends in 2027.
Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, said the National Assembly needed approval from only 24 state assemblies to proceed.
He assured Nigerians that the process would be concluded before the next National Assembly takes over.
What the Proposed State Police System Means
The proposed amendment would allow states to establish their own police services alongside the existing Nigeria Police Force.
Supporters argue that decentralised policing could improve responses to kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and other security threats by giving states greater control over local law enforcement.
However, concerns remain about possible political interference, funding disparities and the need for effective accountability mechanisms.
President Bola Tinubu has also expressed support for state police, describing its establishment as a key part of efforts to address Nigeria’s security challenges.
For now, the proposal remains dependent on approval by the required number of state assemblies before the constitutional amendment can proceed.
