The National Assembly of Nigeria is set to transmit the proposed State Police Bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent. This development follows the authentication of approvals secured from 28 state Houses of Assembly. The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, confirmed this in a statement on Tuesday. He disclosed that the number of state legislatures that had approved the proposed constitutional amendment exceeded the constitutionally required threshold of 24 states.
According to Ogunlana, the bill was transmitted to the 36 state Houses of Assembly on September 16, 2026, for consideration and approval. The state legislatures were requested to communicate their decisions to the National Assembly within 30 days. Although the deadline expired on October 15, the clerk said his office would continue to receive reports from state legislatures until the bill was transmitted for presidential assent.
The authentication process is a key step towards transmitting the bill to the President for assent. The bill seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide for the establishment of State Police Services and related matters. This move is amid renewed calls for a decentralised policing system to address Nigeria’s worsening security challenges. Nigeria currently operates a centrally controlled police system under the Nigeria Police Force.
Supporters of decentralised policing argue that state police would improve intelligence gathering and allow security operations to be tailored to local circumstances. However, concerns have also been raised about possible political abuse, inadequate funding, and the protection of human rights under state-controlled police structures. The bill’s transmission to the President would pave the way for the next stage of the constitutional amendment process.
Ogunlana clarified that Section 9 of the Constitution does not expressly prescribe a third reading for a constitutional alteration bill, unlike the procedure applicable to ordinary bills. He commended the state legislatures for their cooperation in considering the proposed amendment. This development marks a significant step in the long-running debate over the establishment of state police.
The proposed state police system aims to enable states to respond more effectively to local security threats, including kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, and communal violence. Proponents argue that it would strengthen the country’s security architecture and deepen its federal system. The clerk said his office would continue to provide timely information on developments relating to the amendment.
With the approvals from 28 state Houses of Assembly, the necessary administrative processes are being undertaken to facilitate the transmission of the bill to President Tinubu in accordance with the Acts Authentication Act, Cap A2 (LFN) 2004. This move is expected to enhance the country's security and address the current policing challenges.
Key points
- The National Assembly has confirmed that 28 state Houses of Assembly have approved the State Police Bill.
- The bill seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to establish State Police Services and address Nigeria's security challenges.
- The transmission of the bill to President Tinubu is the next stage in the constitutional amendment process.
