Only five of Nigeria’s 36 State Houses of Assembly have approved the proposed constitutional amendment to establish state police, leaving 31 states yet to make a final decision as the National Assembly’s 30-day deadline expires.
The five states that have approved the bill are Edo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers and Zamfara.
The development represents a setback for the proposed reform, which seeks to decentralize Nigeria’s policing system and provide a constitutional framework for the establishment and operation of state police services.
The National Assembly transmitted the bill to the 36 state legislatures on September 16, 2026, after the Senate passed it on June 24 and the House of Representatives approved it on July 23.
The 30-day period given to the state assemblies to communicate their positions was due to expire on October 16.
Despite the deadline, several state legislatures are still reviewing the proposal, consulting stakeholders or yet to begin formal deliberations.
Under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution, a constitutional amendment must receive the approval of at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, representing 24 states, before it can proceed to the next stage.
With only five states having approved the proposal, the bill remains 19 states short of the required threshold.
Assemblies Delay Decision
In Anambra State, the Clerk of the House of Assembly, Tony Ughenu, confirmed that lawmakers had been informed of the bill but had yet to formally list it for consideration.
He explained that state lawmakers were expected to vote either in support of or against the proposed amendment rather than alter its provisions.
Ughenu attributed part of the delay to ongoing consultations among speakers of state legislatures, expressing hope that the Assembly’s position would become clearer in the coming weeks.
In Imo State, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Judiciary, Dominic Ezerioha, said the bill arrived as lawmakers were proceeding on recess.
He explained that the proposal had been presented to the House following its resumption and would be examined before lawmakers reached a decision.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State House of Assembly said it was studying the proposed amendment and planned to organise a public hearing before taking a final position.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Henry Marah, said the lawmakers were reviewing the provisions to determine their implications for the state’s security needs.
He stressed that public input and stakeholder contributions would guide the Assembly’s eventual decision.
House of Representatives Yet to Clarify Next Steps
The leadership of the House of Representatives has yet to make a formal statement on the status of the exercise or clarify the next steps following the limited number of approvals.
The lack of an official position has raised questions about whether the National Assembly will extend its deadline or issue further directives to the state legislatures.
However, the Senate has maintained that the constitutional amendment process will be completed before the expiration of the 10th National Assembly’s tenure.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, said the Senate was awaiting responses from the state assemblies.
He explained that the proposal required the approval of 24 state legislatures and expressed confidence that the process would be completed before the next National Assembly takes over in 2027.
“There is no need for fear. This is the 10th Senate, isn’t it? I can assure you that it will be done in the life of this 10th Senate before the next one comes on board,” Adaramodu said.
Presidency Says National Policing Bill Is 90% Ready
Meanwhile, the Presidency has disclosed that the proposed National Policing Bill, which is expected to provide the operational framework for the planned state police system, is about 90 percent ready.
The Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the bill could be transmitted to the National Assembly within two weeks.
He explained that the working group was finalizing consultations and incorporating observations from state governors before completing the draft.
Gbajabiamila described the proposed legislation as a major reform of the country’s security architecture, adding that it would address issues including minimum policing standards, state readiness, coordination between federal and state authorities, accountability and human rights safeguards.
The proposed constitutional amendment would establish a dual policing system comprising a Federal Police Service and state police services, allowing states to establish their own police formations through legislation.
Supporters argue that decentralised policing would improve responses to local security threats, including kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and communal violence. However, concerns remain about the potential political misuse of state-controlled police institutions.
The proposal must secure the constitutionally required approval from at least 24 state assemblies before the amendment process can proceed.