The National Assembly has confirmed that 28 State Houses of Assembly have approved the bill to establish State Police in Nigeria.In a statement released on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, said the 28 approvals exceed the required two-thirds threshold of 24 states under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution.
The bill is the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill seeking to provide for State Police Services and related matters. It was transmitted to all 36 State Houses of Assembly on September 16, 2026, for approval.According to Ogunlana, as of October 15, 2026, 28 states have sent approval, and the National Assembly will continue to accept reports from remaining states until transmission for presidential assent.
”The National Assembly is now undertaking the necessary administrative processes to transmit the bill to President Tinubu for assent in accordance with the Acts Authentication Act,” the statement said.The move is part of efforts to decentralise policing and strengthen security across the country. If assented to by President Bola Tinubu, states will be constitutionally empowered to establish their own police services to complement the Nigeria Police Force, especially in tackling local insecurity, banditry and kidnapping.
The State Police debate has been ongoing for over a decade, with governors arguing that centralised policing has failed to address Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.
Sources: Clerk to NASS official statement