National Assembly

Author: Gist Correspondent

Only four of Nigeria’s 36 state Houses of Assembly have so far approved the proposed constitutional amendment seeking to establish State Police.

The slow pace of the process has raised concerns over the country’s long-running efforts to decentralise policing and strengthen internal security.

The National Assembly transmitted the 1999 Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, to the 36 state legislatures on September 16 for their concurrence.

Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, said the bill was transmitted with the expectation that the state assemblies would consider it within one month.

Ogunlana, however, clarified that the 30-day period is an administrative timeframe and not a constitutional deadline, as the Constitution does not prescribe a specific period for state assemblies to respond.

The National Assembly said it recognised the constitutional independence and responsibility of the state legislatures in considering the proposed amendments.

Under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, a constitutional amendment requires the approval of at least two-thirds of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, representing 24 legislatures.

So far, only Edo, Osun, Oyo and Rivers states have approved the State Police bill.

Several other state assemblies are yet to begin consideration of the proposal, while some reportedly say they are still awaiting its transmission from the National Assembly.

Others have constituted committees to study the bill before taking it to the floor for consideration.

The proposed amendment seeks to move policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List, allowing states to establish, fund and operate their own police forces.

The proposed State Police would operate alongside the Nigeria Police Force, which remains under the control of the Federal Government.

State-level deliberations are expected to examine issues including the structure, powers, funding and accountability of State Police, as well as its relationship with the existing Nigeria Police Force.