The Senate has given the remaining six State Houses of Assembly yet to approve the State Police Bill until November 15, 2026, to indicate their positions, paving the way for the transmission of the bill to the President for assent.
The decision followed an update by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, during plenary on Wednesday, in which he disclosed that 30 State Houses of Assembly had so far approved the proposed constitutional amendment to establish State Police.
Senator Bamidele explained that the number of approvals had exceeded the constitutionally required two-thirds majority of 24 states, representing the threshold needed for the passage of the bill.
Among the states that have approved the bill are Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Imo, Gombe, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kwara, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara, among others.
He noted that the overwhelming support recorded across the states demonstrated the widespread acceptance of the proposed establishment of State Police as a significant step towards strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.
However, the President of the Senate, Dr. Godswill Obot Akpabio, appealed that the remaining six State Houses of Assembly be given additional time, until November 15, 2026, to communicate their positions on the proposed legislation.
Dr. Akpabio emphasised the importance of allowing all outstanding states the opportunity to participate in the constitutional process, noting that the deadline would provide a final window for them to indicate their decisions.
He further stated that any State House of Assembly that fails to communicate its position by November 15 would be deemed to have withheld its approval.
The position was unanimously adopted by the Senate.
The proposed State Police legislation is aimed at decentralising policing, strengthening internal security and enabling states to develop more responsive security structures to address the peculiar security challenges confronting their respective communities.
The Senate’s decision underscores the commitment of the 10th National Assembly to advancing constitutional reforms and strengthening the country’s security framework through a collaborative federal approach.
EmemMaria Ntedodom Offiong, nipr.
Deputy Director (Head: Information, Press and Public Relations)
+2347082203400
emy.offiong@fmino.gov.ng
4th November, 2026.
