State Police Bill Gets Approval from 28 State Assemblies, Heads to Tinubu for Assent

The National Assembly has confirmed that 28 State Houses of Assembly have approved the constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police services, paving the way for its transmission to President Bola Tinubu for assent.

The development was announced in a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, on Tuesday.

28 States Meet Constitutional Requirement

According to the statement, the National Assembly received and verified 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 consideration and approval, with a request that their decisions be communicated within 30 days.

Although the stipulated period elapsed on October 15, the Clerk said his office would continue to receive reports until the bill is transmitted for presidential assent.

The National Assembly explained that the 28 approvals exceed the constitutional requirement of at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, equivalent to 24 states, under Section 9 of the Constitution.

Bill Set for Presidential Assent

The Clerk said the National Assembly had completed the necessary administrative verification of the reports and accompanying votes and proceedings to confirm their authenticity.

It also clarified that Section 9 of the Constitution does not expressly require a Third Reading for a Constitution Alteration Bill, unlike the procedure for ordinary bills.

With the required number of state approvals secured, the National Assembly said it was undertaking the necessary processes to transmit the bill to President Tinubu for assent in line with the Acts Authentication Act.

National Assembly Welcomes State Support

The National Assembly commended the State Houses of Assembly for their cooperation and response to the constitutional amendment process.

It described the development as a significant step towards strengthening Nigeria's security architecture and deepening the country's federal system.

The office also pledged to continue providing updates on developments concerning the proposed establishment of state police.

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