The National Assembly has confirmed that the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish State Police Services in Nigeria will be transmitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assent, following its approval by 28 State Houses of Assembly, exceeding the constitutionally required threshold.
The development was contained in a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, Esq., on Tuesday, confirming that the required number of state legislatures had endorsed the proposed constitutional amendment.
According to the statement, the Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly received reports from 28 State Houses of Assembly indicating their approval of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, which seeks to provide for the establishment of State Police Services and related matters.
The Bill was transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly on September 16, 2026, for their consideration and approval, with a request that their decisions be communicated to the National Assembly within 30 days.
Although the stipulated period elapsed on October 15, 2026, the Clerk explained that the Office would continue to receive reports from State Houses of Assembly until the Bill is formally transmitted for presidential assent.
The National Assembly noted that the 28 approvals received represent more than the constitutionally prescribed threshold of not less than two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, equivalent to 24 states, as required under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution.
The statement further disclosed that the National Assembly had undertaken the necessary administrative verification of the reports and accompanying Votes and Proceedings to establish their authenticity and ensure that the records accurately reflected the decisions taken by the respective state legislatures.
It also clarified that Section 9 of the Constitution does not expressly prescribe a Third Reading for a Constitution Alteration Bill, unlike the procedure applicable to ordinary legislative Bills.
With the required constitutional threshold now satisfied, the National Assembly confirmed that the necessary administrative processes were being undertaken to facilitate the transmission of the Bill to President Tinubu for assent.
“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, (LFN) 2004,” the statement said.
The proposed establishment of State Police Services is expected to constitute a significant development in Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen its security architecture, particularly in addressing the country’s evolving security challenges through a more decentralised policing framework.
The constitutional amendment is also considered an important step towards deepening Nigeria’s federal structure by providing for greater participation of state governments in addressing security concerns within their respective jurisdictions.
The National Assembly expressed appreciation to the various State Houses of Assembly for their cooperation and timely response in the consideration of what it described as an important constitutional amendment.
It reaffirmed its commitment to keeping Nigerians informed through accurate and timely updates on developments concerning the constitutional amendment process.
The proposed State Police framework, upon completion of the constitutional amendment process and presidential assent, is expected to open a new chapter in Nigeria’s approach to internal security and policing.
EmemMaria Ntedodom Offiong
Deputy Director (Head: Information ,Press & Public Relations)
+2347082303400
emy.offiong@fmino.gov.ng
3rd November, 2026.
