President Bola Tinubu’s push to establish state police in Nigeria has recorded a major breakthrough after 28 State Houses of Assembly approved the proposed constitutional amendment.
The development was confirmed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, who said the approvals had been received and verified alongside the legislative records submitted by the state assemblies.
The figure exceeds the constitutional requirement of 24 states, representing at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 state legislatures, under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution.
The proposed amendment, contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, seeks to create a legal framework for state police services to operate alongside the federal police structure.
The bill was transmitted to the state assemblies on September 16, 2026, after securing approval from both chambers of the National Assembly.
Although the state legislatures were initially given 30 days to communicate their decisions, the National Assembly Clerk clarified that the period was an administrative timeline and not a constitutional deadline.
With the required number of state approvals secured, the National Assembly has commenced the administrative process towards transmitting the amendment to President Tinubu for assent.
However, the development does not mean state police operations can begin immediately. The remaining constitutional and legislative procedures must first be completed.
Supporters of the proposed reform argue that decentralising policing could improve intelligence gathering, strengthen community security and enable states to respond more effectively to local threats.
However, concerns remain over possible political interference, funding, accountability and the need for uniform professional standards across state police formations.
The proposed reform represents a significant step in Nigeria’s debate over restructuring its policing system amid persistent security challenges.
