Nigeria’s long clamour for State Police has become a constitutional reality after 25 State Houses of Assembly approved the 2026 Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill.
The figure exceeds the two-thirds majority of 24 states required by the Constitution for such amendments to sail through.
The approval now clears the way for the National Assembly to transmit the bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
Eleven states – including Lagos, Kano, Borno, Sokoto, Katsina and Niger – are yet to approve the amendment.
Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, described the development as a major breakthrough for police reform.
He commended the 25 State Assemblies for backing the amendment and lauded the National Assembly for passing the bill in both chambers.
According to Gbajabiamila, the approvals have laid the constitutional foundation for a dual policing system comprising the Federal Police Service and State Police Services.
He disclosed that the National Policing Bill, 2026, and 29 related amendment bills are currently undergoing legislative drafting review and validation at the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The draft bills, he said, were submitted to the Attorney-General of the Federation on October 19 for legal review.
The Ministry of Justice is expected to complete validation and return the bills to the Working Group on or before October 30 for final adjustments before presentation to President Tinubu.
Gbajabiamila urged stakeholders to support a smooth transition to the dual policing system, noting it would improve security across the country.
He expressed confidence that the remaining state assemblies would also approve the bill, citing broad national support for State Police.
President Tinubu had in July 2026 inaugurated the Presidential Working Group to prepare the legal framework for State Police, explaining that while the constitutional amendment creates the framework, the National Policing Bill will provide the operational structure.
