The Oyo State House of Assembly has passed the constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish State Police Services, becoming the latest state legislature to advance the proposal aimed at changing Nigeria's policing structure. The lawmakers passed the bill for third reading on Tuesday after constituting themselves into a committee of the whole and considering its provisions clause by clause. This development comes after the Rivers and Osun State Houses of Assembly also backed the constitutional amendment proposal.
The Oyo State House of Assembly's action follows the transmission of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, by the National Assembly to the 36 state Houses of Assembly for consideration and approval. The proposed constitutional amendment seeks to provide the legal and constitutional framework for the establishment of State Police Services across the country. The bill was passed during a plenary session presided over by the House Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin.
The growing consideration of the bill by state legislatures represents the next major stage in the process after the National Assembly passed the proposal and transmitted it to the states. The National Assembly had asked the 36 state Houses of Assembly to consider the bill in accordance with their respective legislative procedures and communicate their resolutions after completing their deliberations. The resolutions are expected to be collated by the National Assembly as part of the constitutional amendment process.
To become part of the nation's supreme law, the proposed amendment faces a constitutionally prescribed threshold. Under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution, an alteration of the Constitution requires the support of at least two-thirds of all members of each chamber of the National Assembly and approval by resolutions of the Houses of Assembly of not less than two-thirds of all states. With Nigeria having 36 states, the requirement translates to approval by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly.
The state-level approval is therefore a critical stage in the effort to establish State Police Services through constitutional amendment. Oyo's resolution will now be communicated to the National Assembly as the Federal Parliament continues to collate the decisions of the state Houses of Assembly on the proposed State Police framework. At least 24 state legislatures must approve the relevant constitutional alteration for it to take effect.
The Oyo State House of Assembly's decision to back the constitutional amendment bill is a significant step towards establishing State Police Services in Nigeria. The proposed State Police framework aims to change Nigeria's policing structure, providing a more localized and efficient law enforcement system. The National Assembly's transmission of the bill to state Houses of Assembly has sparked widespread consideration and debate across the country.
With Oyo joining Rivers and Osun states in backing the proposal, attention turns to the remaining states and their positions on the constitutional amendment. As the Federal Parliament continues to collate the decisions of state Houses of Assembly, the outcome will determine the fate of the proposed State Police Services in Nigeria. The process is expected to be completed in accordance with the constitutional requirements, ensuring a legitimate and lawful establishment of State Police Services if approved.
Key points
- Oyo State House of Assembly passes constitutional amendment bill to establish State Police Services.
- The proposed amendment requires approval by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly to take effect.
- Oyo joins Rivers and Osun states in backing the proposal to establish State Police Services.
