ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria’s proposed transition from a centrally controlled police system to a decentralised policing structure has moved a significant step forward after the National Assembly confirmed that 28 State Houses of Assembly have approved the constitutional amendment seeking to establish state police.
The approvals exceed the constitutional requirement of 24 state legislatures, representing at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 states.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday, November 3, confirming that his office had received and verified the approvals submitted by the state legislatures.
The development clears an important constitutional hurdle and brings the proposed reform closer to the next stage of the legislative process.
National Assembly prepares State Police bill for presidential assent
According to Ogunlana, the proposed Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, seeking to establish State Police Services, was transmitted to all 36 State Houses of Assembly on September 16, 2026.
The state legislatures were initially asked to communicate their decisions within 30 days, with the stipulated period expiring on October 15.
However, the Clerk explained that his office would continue receiving approval reports until the bill was transmitted for presidential assent.
He said the National Assembly had examined the reports and accompanying Votes and Proceedings to authenticate the decisions taken by the respective state legislatures.
With 28 approvals verified, the required threshold under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution has been exceeded by four states.
Ogunlana said the necessary administrative processes were being undertaken to facilitate transmission of the bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
What the proposed reform means
Nigeria currently operates a centralised policing arrangement under the Nigeria Police Force, with operational command and control vested in the Federal Government.
The proposed amendment would provide a constitutional framework for establishing police services controlled by individual state governments.
Supporters argue that decentralised policing could improve intelligence gathering and strengthen community-based security.
It will also enable faster responses to local threats, including kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and communal violence.
They also contend that state governments are better positioned to understand security challenges within their territories and deploy personnel according to local conditions.
Concerns over possible political abuse of State Police
Despite the support for decentralisation, the proposal has generated concerns about the possibility of governors using state police formations to intimidate political opponents, suppress dissent or interfere with civil liberties.
Questions have also been raised about funding, recruitment standards, operational independence, accountability and the relationship between state police formations and the existing federal police structure.
These issues will be central to determining whether the proposed reform can strengthen public safety without creating new avenues for political interference.
State police not yet operational
Although the 28 approvals have satisfied the state-legislature threshold, the development does not mean that state police have already been established.
The National Assembly must complete the remaining administrative and constitutional processes, including transmission of the amendment to the President for assent.
The proposed constitutional change must also be distinguished from the practical implementation of state police services.
This would require further institutional arrangements and operational safeguards.
Developing story:
The next major development to watch is the formal transmission of the constitutional amendment to President Tinubu and any subsequent announcement concerning presidential assent.
