The proposed constitutional amendment to establish state police has suffered a setback, with only five of the 36 State Houses of Assembly having approved the bill as of Thursday, October 15, despite a 30-day deadline set by the National Assembly for the state legislatures to communicate their positions.
The Assemblies of Edo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, and Zamfara have passed the proposed amendment, which seeks to decentralize Nigeria’s policing system and provides a constitutional framework for the establishment and operation of state police services.
However, several other state legislatures are still studying the bill, consulting stakeholders, or waiting to begin deliberations, leaving the proposed reform far short of the constitutional requirement for approval by at least 24 state House of Assembly.
The bill was transmitted to the state legislatures on September 16, 2026, following its passage by the Senate on June 24 and the House of Representatives on July 23. The 30-day period given to the Assemblies was due to expire on October 16 (today).
Despite the deadline, the leadership of the House of Representatives has yet to make a formal statement on the status of the exercise or explain the next steps following the limited number of approvals.
The development raises questions about the pace of the constitutional amendment process, which requires broad support from state legislatures before the proposed changes can take effect.
Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution requires a constitutional alteration to be approved by resolutions of at least two-thirds of all state Houses of Assembly, representing 24 of the 36 states, before it can be presented for presidential assent.
With only five states having approved the proposal, the bill remains a considerable distance from the required threshold.
The establishment of state police has featured prominently in Nigeria’s security debate amid persistent challenges involving banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, communal violence, and other criminal activities.
However, supporters argue that decentralized policing would enable states to respond more effectively to local security threats, while concerns have been raised over the possible political misuse of state-controlled security agencies.
The proposed amendment provides for a federal police service alongside state police services, with each state empowered to establish its own service through legislation. It also outlines arrangements for the administration, oversight, and accountability of state police personnel.
Zamfara State House of Assembly confirmed passing the bill, joining the legislatures of Osun, Oyo, Rivers, and Edo in supporting the proposed constitutional amendment.
The spokesperson for the Zamfara Assembly, Malam Nasiru Biya-Buki, told The PUNCH that the House had completed the process and forwarded the bill to the National Assembly.
“The Zamfara State House of Assembly has since passed the bill regarding the creation of the state police,” he said.
“The bill has been sent to the National Assembly, Abuja, as requested. So, we are waiting for the next line of action to take.”
The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, similarly, read a letter from the National Assembly requesting state legislatures to consider and approve the proposed constitutional alteration.
During deliberations, lawmakers, including Lawrence Adeoti, representing Ife South State Constituency, and Taofeek Olayiwola, representing Ede South, supported the proposal, arguing that state police would improve security across the country.
Adewumi Adeyemi, representing Obokun State Constituency, and Jeremiah Awoyeye, representing Ife Central, also described the proposal as timely.
They argued that the establishment of state police would strengthen security at state and local government levels by enabling authorities to respond more effectively to threats within their jurisdictions.
The motion supporting the amendment was moved by the Majority Leader, Babajide Kofoworola, representing Ede North, and seconded by Tajudeen Adeyemi, representing Ifelodun.
