The National Assembly of Nigeria has confirmed that 28 out of 36 state legislatures have approved a proposed constitutional amendment to establish state police services. This development surpasses the constitutional requirement of two-thirds majority approval, equivalent to 24 states. The approval was disclosed by Kamoru Ogunlana, Clerk to the National Assembly, who verified the reports and votes from the state legislatures.
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, which aims to provide for the establishment of State Police Services, was transmitted to the 36 state legislatures on September 16, 2026. The state legislatures were initially given 30 days to communicate their decisions to the National Assembly, with the deadline ending on October 15. However, Ogunlana stated that his office will continue to receive reports until the bill is transmitted for presidential assent.
According to Ogunlana, the National Assembly undertook administrative verification of the reports and accompanying votes to establish their authenticity. This process ensured that the reports accurately reflected the decisions taken by the respective state legislatures. The verification process confirmed that 28 state legislatures have approved the bill, meeting the required threshold.
Section 9 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, requires a two-thirds majority approval of state legislatures for a constitutional amendment. Ogunlana clarified that this section does not prescribe a third reading for a Constitution Alteration Bill, unlike the procedure for ordinary bills. This clarification paves the way for the transmission of the bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
With the required threshold met, the National Assembly is now set to transmit the bill to President Bola Tinubu for consideration and assent. The establishment of state police services is expected to have significant implications for Nigeria's policing system and security architecture. The bill's passage is seen as a major step towards decentralizing policing and addressing security challenges in the country.
The approval of the State Police Bill by 28 state legislatures demonstrates a significant level of consensus among Nigerian states on the need for a decentralized policing system. The bill's implementation is expected to be a major development in Nigeria's security sector, with potential impacts on crime prevention and community policing.
The National Assembly's confirmation of the state legislatures' approval marks a crucial milestone in the bill's passage. The next step is the transmission of the bill to President Tinubu, who will consider it for assent. The President's decision will determine the fate of the bill and the future of state police services in Nigeria.
Key points
- 28 Nigerian state legislatures have approved the State Police Bill, exceeding the required two-thirds majority threshold.
- The bill's passage is expected to decentralize policing and address security challenges in Nigeria.
- The National Assembly has verified the reports and votes from the state legislatures, confirming the authenticity of the approvals.
