STATE POLICE BILL CROSSES KEY HURDLE AS 25 STATE ASSEMBLIES APPROVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

By NaijaParrot October 24, 2026 | National News 

 Nigeria’s plan to establish state police has moved closer to reality after at least 25 State Houses of Assembly reportedly approved the proposed constitutional amendment to create state police services alongside the existing federal police structure. The development means the proposal has surpassed the constitutional threshold of 24 state assemblies required to approve an amendment to the 1999 Constitution.

The proposed amendment, known as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, was passed by the Senate on June 24 and the House of Representatives on July 23 before being transmitted to the 36 state assemblies for consideration. 

 Under Section 9(2) of the Constitution, a constitutional alteration requires approval from at least two-thirds of the State Houses of Assembly, equivalent to 24 of the 36 states. 

 The reported endorsements therefore mark an important stage in the process, although the proposed amendment must still complete the remaining constitutional procedures before it becomes law. 

 The proposal seeks to establish a dual policing structure in which the Federal Police Service and state police services would operate within their respective jurisdictions. Under the proposed framework, state governments would be able to establish their own police formations, while the federal police would retain responsibility for federal policing duties and could provide assistance under specified circumstances. 

 Supporters of the reform argue that state-level policing could improve local intelligence gathering and help security agencies respond more directly to threats within communities. However, the effectiveness of the proposed system would depend on its final legal framework, funding arrangements, operational safeguards and accountability mechanisms. 

 Following the reported approvals, the constitutional amendment is expected to return to the National Assembly for the next stage of the process, including transmission to President Bola Tinubu for assent in accordance with the Constitution. 

 Meanwhile, the draft National Policing Bill and related amendment proposals are undergoing legislative drafting review and validation at the Federal Ministry of Justice, according to the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill. 

The establishment of state police is not yet complete. Further constitutional and legislative steps are required before the proposed system can become operational. 

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