NASS sends State Police Bill to 36 states for approval

​The National Assembly has transmitted the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for consideration and approval.

The bill, which contains provisions for the establishment of state police, was transmitted to the state legislatures on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, as part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process.

In a statement by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the bill was transmitted pursuant to Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

According to him, the National Assembly expects the state assemblies to consider the bill and communicate their resolutions within 30 days of receiving it.

He, however, clarified that the 30-day period is an administrative timeframe and not a constitutional deadline.

He further stated that the proposed constitutional amendment requires approval by at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, representing 24 states, before the amendment process can proceed to the next stage.

The proposed state police establishment is part of ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s policing structure and address security challenges across the country.

Other constitutional amendment proposals under consideration include local government autonomy, independent candidacy, reserved legislative seats for women and other electoral and governance reforms.

The State Houses of Assembly are now expected to commence consideration of the bill in accordance with their respective legislative procedures and communicate their resolutions to the National Assembly.

The National Assembly said it would take the necessary subsequent steps after receiving the resolutions from the state legislatures.