The National Assembly is set to transmit the proposed State Police Bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent following the approval of the constitutional amendment by 28 State Houses of Assembly.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, confirming that the number of approving state legislatures had exceeded the constitutionally required threshold of 24 states.
According to Ogunlana, the Office of the Clerk had completed the administrative verification of reports and accompanying Votes and Proceedings submitted by the state legislatures to authenticate their decisions.
He explained that the bill was transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly on September 16, 2026, for consideration and approval, with a request that their decisions be communicated to the National Assembly within 30 days.
Although the deadline expired on October 15, Ogunlana said his office continued to receive reports from state legislatures pending the transmission of the bill for presidential assent.
He noted that Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution requires approval from at least two-thirds of the 36 state legislatures, representing 24 states, for a constitutional amendment.
The Clerk also clarified that Section 9 does not expressly require a third reading for a Constitution Alteration Bill, unlike the procedure applicable to ordinary bills.
The proposed amendment seeks to establish State Police Services as part of efforts to decentralise Nigeria’s policing system and strengthen the country’s security architecture.
Proponents of state police believe the arrangement would improve intelligence gathering and enable states to respond more effectively to security threats, including kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and communal violence.
However, concerns remain over possible political interference, inadequate funding and the protection of human rights under state-controlled police structures.
Ogunlana commended the state legislatures for their cooperation, describing the approvals as an important step towards strengthening Nigeria’s security framework and deepening its federal system.
The transmission of the bill to President Tinubu would mark another significant stage in the constitutional amendment process.
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