On October 9, 2026, The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has expressed strong confidence that the proposed constitutional amendment to establish State Police Services will successfully secure the required two-thirds majority approval from the 36 State Houses of Assembly.
Following the National Assembly’s transmission of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026 to the state legislatures on September 16, 2026, the Senate reaffirmed that the majority of Nigerians support decentralized policing as a crucial solution to the nation’s security challenges.
Speaking on the progress of the legislation, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, noted that public consensus overwhelmingly favors the reform.
“We do not expect total unanimity in a nation of over 200 million people, but what remains clear is that the vast majority of Nigerians desire state police to strengthen national security,” Senator Adaramodu stated. “We require the concurrence of at least 24 state Houses of Assembly, representing a two-thirds majority to proceed, and we are confident of achieving this threshold.”
Key updates regarding the bill include:
State Assembly Ratification: Four states—Edo, Oyo, Osun, and Rivers have officially approved the bill, according to updates from the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill.
Timeline and Passage: The Senate anticipates receiving further feedback from state legislatures shortly and re-assures the public that the constitutional amendment process will be fully concluded within the tenure of the 10th Senate.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, clarified that the State Police Bill is currently the sole constitutional alteration bill transmitted to the state assemblies, with additional amendment proposals to follow upon concurrent passage by both legislative chambers.
The proposed legislation seeks to alter the 1999 Constitution to allow states to create and maintain localized police forces, enhancing responsiveness to regional security concerns and modernizing Nigeria’s national security architecture.
