State Police Bill Hits Roadblock in States

The proposed constitutional amendment to establish State Police Services is facing delays across several Nigerian states, with only four state Houses of Assembly having approved the bill so far.

Edo, Osun, Oyo and Rivers have endorsed the proposed amendment, while several other states are either still studying the legislation, preparing for debate or yet to receive it from the National Assembly.

The development comes after the National Assembly transmitted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, to the 36 state Houses of Assembly on September 16.

The National Assembly has requested the state legislatures to communicate their resolutions within 30 days. However, the 30-day period is an administrative timeline and not a constitutional deadline.

Under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, a constitutional amendment requires approval from at least two-thirds of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, meaning 24 states must concur before the process can move to the next stage.

With only four states having approved the proposal, another 20 Houses of Assembly must endorse it for the constitutional requirement to be met.

In the South-West, Osun and Oyo have approved the bill, while Ondo and Ekiti are studying it. Ogun has constituted a committee to examine the proposal, while Lagos has backed the establishment of state police in principle but has not publicly confirmed formal approval of the transmitted constitutional amendment.

In the South-South, Rivers and Edo have approved the proposal, while Cross River has commenced consideration. Delta is consulting stakeholders, while Bayelsa is yet to take formal action.

The process is also moving slowly in several northern states. Plateau has commenced consideration, while Bauchi has set up a committee to examine the bill. Kano, Kwara, Kebbi, Taraba and Gombe have said they are yet to receive the legislation.

Other states, including Yobe, Borno, Nasarawa, Zamfara and Sokoto, have received the bill but are yet to formally approve it.

In the South-East, most state assemblies have yet to begin formal consideration. Ebonyi has promised accelerated consideration, while Abia is expected to take up the matter when lawmakers resume on October 6.

The proposed amendment would allow states to establish and operate their own police services alongside the Nigeria Police Force.

Supporters argue that decentralised policing could improve local responses to insecurity, while concerns have been raised over funding and possible political interference by state authorities.

The slow pace across the states means the proposed reform still faces a significant legislative hurdle before it can proceed to the next stage of the constitutional amendment process.