The National Assembly is preparing to transmit the proposed State Police Bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent after verifying approvals from 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 constitutional requirement of 24 states.
Ogunlana said his office had completed the necessary administrative verification of reports and voting records submitted by the state assemblies to confirm their authenticity.
He stated, “The office has also undertaken the necessary administrative verification of the reports and accompanying votes and proceedings to establish their authenticity and ensure that the records accurately reflect the decisions taken by the respective state Houses of Assembly.
“In view of the approvals secured from the required number of state Houses of Assembly, the necessary administrative processes are being undertaken to facilitate the transmission of the Bill to His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for assent, in accordance with the Acts Authentication Act, CAP A2, (LEN) 2004.”
According to the clerk, the proposed constitutional amendment was forwarded to all 36 state Houses of Assembly on September 16, 2026, for consideration and approval, with a 30-day deadline for submitting their decisions.
Although the deadline expired on October 15, Ogunlana explained that his office continued receiving reports from state legislatures until the bill’s transmission process.
He confirmed that 28 state assemblies had approved the proposal, exceeding the two-thirds requirement of 24 states stipulated under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution.
The clerk also clarified that Section 9 does not expressly require a third reading for constitutional amendment bills, unlike ordinary legislative bills.
The proposed legislation seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to establish State Police Services and provide the legal framework for decentralised policing in Nigeria.
The development represents a major step in the country’s long-running efforts to reform its security architecture amid persistent challenges, including kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and communal violence.
Supporters of state police believe decentralising the system would strengthen intelligence gathering and enable security agencies to respond more effectively to local threats.
However, concerns remain over possible political interference, inadequate funding and the protection of human rights under state-controlled police structures.
Nigeria currently operates a centrally controlled policing system through the Nigeria Police Force, with state governments lacking independent police commands.
Ogunlana commended the state legislatures for their cooperation, describing the development as an important step towards strengthening national security and deepening Nigeria’s federal system.
The transmission of the bill to Tinubu will advance the proposed constitutional amendment to the next stage of the legislative process.