Nigeria’s long-running push for state police has cleared a major constitutional hurdle, with 24 State Houses of Assembly approving the proposed amendment to establish a dual policing system across the country.
The development brings the proposed reform a step closer to reality, following the endorsement of two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 state legislatures, the constitutional threshold required for the amendment to advance.
The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill announced the milestone in a statement issued on Friday by its chairman and Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The group commended the state assemblies for backing the reform and acknowledged the National Assembly for passing the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, through both chambers.
With the required state-level approval secured, the amendment can now return to the National Assembly for transmission to President Tinubu for assent, in line with Section 9 of the Constitution.
The proposed amendment would provide constitutional backing for the dual policing framework outlined in the draft National Policing Bill, 2026, marking a significant step in efforts to restructure Nigeria’s policing system.
Beyond the constitutional amendment, the working group disclosed that the draft bills are undergoing legislative drafting review and validation at the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The documents are expected to be returned by October 30, after which the group will conduct a final review before presenting them to the President.
The proposed state police system is expected to reshape security responsibilities by providing a framework for policing at both federal and state levels.
The working group has urged stakeholders to support a smooth transition to the proposed arrangement, stressing the need for a policing structure that better protects Nigerians.
However, the constitutional approval marks a critical step in the process and does not, by itself, mean state police operations have commenced.
