Nigeria’s long-running quest for State Police appears to be moving slowly, with only four states approving the proposed constitutional amendment so far.

Concerns remain over the pace of the constitutional amendment process, after the National Assembly transmitted the 1999 Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, to the 36 state Houses of Assembly on September 16, seeking their concurrence.

Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, said the bill was transmitted with the expectation that the state legislatures would consider it within one month.

Although the Constitution does not prescribe a timeframe for state assemblies to respond, Ogunlana said the National Assembly expects them to communicate their resolutions within 30 days of receiving the bill.

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

The National Assembly said it recognises the constitutional responsibility and independence of the State Houses of Assembly in considering the proposed amendments.

Under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, altering the Constitution requires approval by at least two-thirds of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, or 24 legislatures, before the amendment can proceed to the next stage.

Several other state legislatures have yet to begin considering the bill, while some say they are still awaiting its transmission from the National Assembly.

Some other assemblies appear to be taking their time by constituting a committee to examine the proposed state police bill before the full House considers it.

The states that have approved the bill so far are:

1. Edo

2. Osun

3. Oyo

4. Rivers

State-level deliberations are expected to focus on the structure, powers, funding, and accountability of the proposed State Police, as well as its relationship with the Nigeria Police Force.

The bill seeks to move policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List of the Constitution, a change that would empower state governments to establish, fund, and operate their own police forces alongside the Nigeria Police Force, which is currently the sole, centrally controlled police institution under the Federal Government. (The Nation)

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