By By Elizabeth Ugbo
Twenty-eight State Houses of Assembly have approved the proposed establishment of State Police in Nigeria. The National Assembly confirmed the development on Thursday, November 5, 2026, following the completion of constitutional review procedures. The approval meets the constitutional requirement for advancing the proposed amendment.
National Assembly Confirms 28 State Approvals
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, disclosed the development in an official statement.
According to Ogunlana, the National Assembly has received approval from 28 state legislatures. The approvals concern the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish State Police.
Furthermore, the number exceeds the constitutional threshold of 24 states. Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution requires approval from at least 24 State Houses of Assembly.
Bill Transmitted to State Assemblies in September
Ogunlana explained that the National Assembly transmitted the bill to all 36 State Houses of Assembly. The transmission took place on September 16, with a 30-day deadline.
The deadline expired on October 15. However, the National Assembly subsequently completed the verification of reports received from the state legislatures.
Bill Moves Towards Presidential Assent
Ogunlana confirmed that officials have completed the verification process. Consequently, the National Assembly has started arrangements to transmit the bill to President Bola Tinubu.
The President’s assent represents the next major step in the constitutional amendment process.
If the process succeeds, Nigeria will move closer to establishing State Police. The proposed reform aims to decentralise policing and strengthen security operations across the country.
