National Assembly Receives Approval for State Police Bill

The National Assembly has confirmed that 28 State Houses of Assembly have approved the proposed constitutional amendment aimed at establishing state police services. This approval exceeds the constitutional requirement of 24 states, which is two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, as outlined in Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution.

The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, announced this development in a statement, noting that the bill was transmitted to the state legislatures on September 16, 2026, with a deadline for responses set for October 15. Ogunlana clarified that his office would continue to accept approval reports until the bill is sent for presidential assent.

He also explained that a Third Reading is not required for a Constitution Alteration Bill. The push for state police has intensified due to ongoing security challenges in Nigeria, including kidnapping and terrorism, with advocates arguing that state governments need more control over local security.