The Nigerian National Assembly has announced plans to transmit the constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police to President Bola Tinubu for assent. This development comes after 28 state Houses of Assembly approved the proposal, exceeding the constitutional requirement of at least 24 of Nigeria's 36 states. The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
According to Ogunlana, the Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly received reports from 28 State Houses of Assembly indicating their approval of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill. The bill seeks to provide for the establishment of State Police Services and related matters. The National Assembly had transmitted the bill to the 36 state legislatures on 16 September 2026, with a request that they communicate their decisions within 30 days.
Although the deadline for state legislatures to respond expired on 15 October, Ogunlana said his office would continue receiving reports until the bill was forwarded for presidential assent. The National Assembly verified the resolutions and accompanying legislative records to establish their authenticity. This represents more than the constitutionally prescribed threshold of not less than two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, equivalent to 24 States.
Ogunlana clarified that Section 9 of the constitution does not expressly require a third reading for constitutional alteration bills, unlike the procedure applicable to ordinary legislation. He said the necessary administrative processes were underway to facilitate the transmission of the bill to Tinubu in accordance with the Acts Authentication Act. This paves the way for the bill to be sent to the President for assent.
The National Assembly commended the state legislatures for their cooperation, describing the proposed amendment as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria's security architecture and deepen federalism. The proposed legislation seeks to provide a constitutional framework for establishing state police services, a significant departure from Nigeria's existing centrally controlled policing structure.
The amendment has not yet become law, pending completion of the remaining constitutional and authentication processes. Once enacted, the state police bill is expected to have a significant impact on Nigeria's security landscape. The bill's passage is seen as a major step towards decentralizing policing and addressing the country's security challenges.
The National Assembly's move to transmit the bill to President Tinubu marks a significant milestone in the process of establishing state police services in Nigeria. The President will now consider the bill for assent, which will determine the fate of the proposed legislation. The establishment of state police services is expected to enhance security and give states more control over policing.
Key points
- The National Assembly will transmit the state police bill to President Bola Tinubu after 28 state Houses of Assembly approved the proposal.
- The proposed legislation seeks to provide a constitutional framework for establishing state police services.
- The amendment has not yet become law, pending completion of the remaining constitutional and authentication processes.
