N’Assembly to Transmit State Police Bill to Tinubu Today

The National Assembly is set to transmit the proposed State Police Bill to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for presidential assent following approval by 28 State Houses of Assembly.

The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, November 3, confirming that his office had completed the administrative verification of the approvals and accompanying records submitted by the state legislatures.

According to Ogunlana, the 28 approvals exceed the constitutional requirement of at least two-thirds of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, equivalent to 24 states, for a constitutional amendment to proceed under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution.

He said the necessary administrative processes were being undertaken to facilitate the transmission of the bill to the President in accordance with the Acts Authentication Act.

The proposed legislation, formally known as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, seeks to amend the Constitution to provide for the establishment of State Police Services and related matters.

The bill was transmitted to all 36 state Houses of Assembly on September 16, 2026, for consideration and approval. The state legislatures were initially asked to communicate their decisions to the National Assembly within 30 days.

Although the deadline expired on October 15, Ogunlana said his office continued receiving reports from state assemblies until the required approvals were secured.

He also clarified that Section 9 of the Constitution does not expressly require a third reading for a Constitution Alteration Bill, unlike the procedure for ordinary legislation.

The proposed state police framework is intended to decentralise Nigeria’s policing structure, allowing states to establish their own police services alongside the existing Nigeria Police Force.

Supporters argue that the arrangement could strengthen local intelligence gathering and improve responses to security threats, including kidnapping, banditry and terrorism.

However, the proposal has also generated concerns about possible political interference, inadequate funding, accountability and the protection of human rights under state-controlled police structures.

The transmission of the bill to Tinubu would mark another stage in the constitutional amendment process. The proposal will require presidential assent before the amendment can become law.