Get Guardian on GoogleThe National Assembly has confirmed that 28 State Houses of Assembly have approved the proposed constitutional amendment to establish state police, clearing the required threshold for the process to advance.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, saying the approvals had been authenticated and arrangements were underway to transmit the bill to President Bola Tinubu.
According to him, the National Assembly requires approval from at least 24 of the 36 state legislatures for the proposed constitutional amendment to proceed.
Ogunlana said the Office of the Clerk had verified the reports and accompanying Votes and Proceedings submitted by the state assemblies to establish their authenticity and confirm that they accurately reflected the decisions taken by the lawmakers.
He said the verification had confirmed that the required number of state legislatures had approved the bill.
“In view of the approvals secured from the required number of State Houses of Assembly, the necessary administrative processes are being undertaken to facilitate the transmission of the Bill to His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for assent, in accordance with the Acts Authentication Act, CAP A2, (LEN) 2004,” he said.
The proposed amendment seeks to alter the 1999 Constitution to provide for the establishment of State Police Services and related matters.
The proposal is part of ongoing efforts to decentralise Nigeria’s policing structure, with proponents arguing that state-controlled police formations could strengthen security operations and improve responses to crimes across the country.
Ogunlana said the bill was forwarded to the 36 State Houses of Assembly on September 16, 2026, for consideration and approval.
The state legislatures were asked to communicate their decisions to the National Assembly within 30 days.
With 28 assemblies having approved the proposal, the bill has exceeded the 24-state threshold required for the constitutional amendment process to advance.
The National Assembly is now undertaking the administrative steps required for its next stage.
