The assemblies of Edo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers and Zamfara have endorsed the proposal, which seeks to decentralise policing and allow states to establish their own police services alongside the Federal Police Service.
The National Assembly transmitted the bill to the state legislatures on September 16, giving them 30 days to communicate their positions. By October 15, the proposal remained far short of the 24 state approvals required under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution for a constitutional alteration.
Several assemblies are still examining the bill, with some considering public hearings and consultations before deciding. Legislatures in Ogun, Delta, Abia, Anambra, Imo and Kaduna were among those yet to announce final positions in the report.
Despite the slow progress, the Senate has expressed confidence that the amendment will be completed before the current National Assembly’s tenure ends in 2027.
The Presidency has also said the accompanying National Policing Bill is about 90 per cent ready and could be transmitted to the National Assembly after further consultations.
Supporters argue that state police could improve responses to local security threats, while concerns remain about possible political interference and the need for effective oversight.
For now, the constitutional proposal cannot proceed to completion without the required support from state assemblies.
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Summary
Nigeria’s plan to establish state police faces a major hurdle, with only five state assemblies approving the constitutional amendment before the National Assembly’s deadline, leaving the proposal short of the 24 states required. Nigeria’s proposed state police system is facing a major legislative hurdle, with only five of the country’s 36 state Houses of Assembly approving the constitutional...
Key takeaways
- Nigeria’s plan to establish state police faces a major hurdle, with only five state assemblies approving the constitutional amendment before the National Assembly’s deadline, leaving the proposal short of the 24 states required.
- Nigeria’s proposed state police system is facing a major legislative hurdle, with only five of the country’s 36 state Houses of Assembly approving the constitutional amendment as the deadline for their responses approaches.The assemblies of Edo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers and Zamfara have endorsed the proposal, which seeks to decentralise policing and allow states to establish their own police services alongside the Federal Police Service.The National Assembly transmitted the bill to the state legislatures on September 16, giving them 30 days to communicate their positions.
- By October 15, the proposal remained far short of the 24 state approvals required under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution for a constitutional alteration.Several assemblies are still examining the bill, with some considering public hearings and consultations before deciding.
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Nigeria’s plan to establish state police faces a major hurdle, with only five state assemblies approving the constitutional amendment before the National Assembly’s deadline, leaving the proposal short of the 24 states required. Nigeria’s proposed state police system is facing a major legislative hurdle, with only five of the country’s 36 state Houses of Assembly approving the constitutional...
Who published this story?
Glow 99.1 FM published this story with GlowRy Atuah listed as author.
When was it published?
October 16, 2026
