Nigeria’s state police proposal has met the constitutional threshold after 24 of 36 state assemblies approved an amendment, moving the plan forward while leaving operating rules to separate legislation.
The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill said Friday, Oct. 23, that the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026 had secured 24 state approvals. Section 9(2) of Nigeria’s Constitution requires approval from at least two-thirds of the state assemblies, or 24 states. The Working Group also said the National Assembly had passed the measure in both chambers.
Reports differ on the state tally. TheCable counted 25 approvals, while BusinessDay reported 24. The Working Group’s statement did not name the approving states; BusinessDay’s account listed Gombe among states still considering the measure. Either reported total meets the 24-state requirement.
The National Assembly said it sent the amendment to state assemblies on Sept. 16 and asked them to return their resolutions. Clerk Kamoru Ogunlana said the assemblies were expected to respond within 30 days of receipt, an administrative target rather than a deadline set by the Constitution. The Working Group said the amendment can return to the National Assembly for transmission to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
Assembly votes alone do not establish state police forces. Nigeria’s current Constitution provides for a single Nigeria Police Force, while the proposed amendment is intended to make a federal and state system legally possible. The Kwara State Assembly’s approval was one step in the broader state-by-state process.
A separate package remains under review. The Working Group submitted a draft National Policing Bill and 29 consequential amendment bills to the Federal Ministry of Justice on Oct. 19. The ministry is expected to return the drafts by Friday, Oct. 30, after which the group plans to review them before presenting them to the president.
The Associated Press reported that supporters cite gaps in rural police coverage, while critics worry governors could use state forces against political opponents. BusinessDay reported that local services could improve response times and intelligence, while states would bear costs for recruitment, training and equipment.
