The National Assembly has commenced the final administrative steps to transmit the proposed State Police Bill to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assent after 28 State Houses of Assembly approved the constitutional amendment.
The development was confirmed on Tuesday by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, who said the number of approving states had exceeded the constitutional requirement for the amendment process to proceed.
According to Ogunlana, at least 24 of Nigeria’s 36 State Houses of Assembly must approve a constitutional alteration bill under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution. With 28 states now confirmed, the required threshold has been met.
The bill, which seeks to amend the Constitution to provide for the establishment of State Police Services, was transmitted to the state legislatures on September 16, 2026, for consideration and approval.
Although the initial deadline for the submission of their decisions expired on October 15, Ogunlana said his office would continue to receive reports from state assemblies that had yet to communicate their positions.
He added that the National Assembly had verified the reports and accompanying legislative records to ensure that they accurately reflected the decisions taken by the respective state legislatures.
Ogunlana also clarified that Section 9 of the Constitution does not expressly require a third reading for a constitutional alteration bill, unlike the procedure applicable to ordinary bills.
He said the necessary administrative procedures were being completed to facilitate the transmission of the bill to President Tinubu for assent.
The proposed establishment of state police has gained renewed attention amid persistent security challenges across Nigeria, including kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and communal violence.
Supporters of the proposal argue that decentralised policing could improve intelligence gathering and enable security agencies to respond more effectively to local threats. However, concerns remain over the potential political misuse of state-controlled police forces, funding and the protection of citizens’ rights.
The transmission of the bill to the President would mark a significant step in the constitutional process. However, the proposed amendment should not be confused with an already operational state police system.
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