Nigeria: 24 states must approve the creation of state police
The constitutional amendment bill creating state police has been sent to the 36 regional assemblies. It requires the approval of at least 24 of them before proceeding with the process.
On Wednesday, September 16, the National Assembly of Nigeria sent a constitutional amendment bill to the assemblies of the 36 states that would establish state police forces. To overcome this constitutional hurdle, the bill must receive approval from at least 24 assemblies.
The bill, officially titled Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, opens the ratification phase at the state level following its adoption by both chambers of the federal Parliament.
The assemblies have been asked to communicate their decisions within 30 days. However, the Clerk of the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, clarified that this timeline is administrative and does not constitute a deadline imposed by the Constitution.
If the two-thirds threshold is met, the reform could establish a two-tier policing structure, with a federal police force and state-specific police services. The proposal must still navigate the remaining constitutional steps before it can take effect.
The police reform is among several institutional changes being considered as part of the sixth constitutional amendment, alongside local government autonomy, electoral, judicial, and fiscal reforms.
The Senate adopted the executive-backed version on June 24. The House of Representatives followed suit on July 23 with a majority of 311 members, before the text was sent to the state assemblies on September 16.
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