Nigeria State Assemblies: 24 States Approve Police Amendment

• Twenty-four Nigerian State Houses of Assembly have approved a constitutional amendment to establish a dual policing system.
• This approval meets the two-thirds constitutional threshold for altering the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026.
• The amendment will now proceed to the National Assembly for transmission to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
• The proposed system will create both a Federal Police Service and state police services, backed by the draft National Policing Bill, 2026.
• The Presidential Working Group expects the final draft bills from the Ministry of Justice by October 30, 2026, before presenting them to the President.

Nigeria has taken a significant step towards restructuring its security architecture, with 24 State Houses of Assembly formally approving a constitutional amendment to establish a dual policing system.

Nigeria has taken a significant step towards restructuring its security architecture, with 24 State Houses of Assembly formally approving a constitutional amendment to establish a dual policing system. This pivotal development, announced on Friday, October 23, 2026, by Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, signifies that the proposed alteration has met the constitutionally mandated two-thirds threshold required for such changes. The Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, which underpins this reform, is now poised for its final legislative stages.

Following this widespread approval from 24 of the nation's 36 state assemblies, the amendment can now be returned to the National Assembly. This procedural step, in accordance with Section 9 of the Constitution, will pave the way for its transmission to President Bola Tinubu for his ultimate assent. The Presidential Working Group has lauded both the state assemblies for their prompt action and the National Assembly for initially passing the amendment through both of its chambers, highlighting a concerted effort across different tiers of government to advance this critical reform.

The core objective of the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, is to provide robust constitutional backing for a comprehensive new policing framework. This framework is detailed within the draft National Policing Bill, 2026, which has been meticulously prepared by the Presidential Working Group. The proposed system envisions a clear division of responsibilities, comprising both a Federal Police Service and distinct state police services, thereby decentralizing law enforcement powers to better address local security challenges.

Currently, the draft bills are undergoing a crucial legislative drafting review and validation process at the Federal Ministry of Justice. This phase is expected to conclude swiftly, with the documents slated for return by Friday, October 30, 2026. Upon their return, the Presidential Working Group will conduct a final consideration before formally presenting the complete legislative package to President Tinubu for his signature. This structured approach underscores the meticulous planning involved in transitioning to a new era of policing in Nigeria.

The journey to this point involved a specific timeline for state legislative action. The National Assembly had initially transmitted the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, to all 36 state Houses of Assembly on September 16, providing them with an administrative timeframe of 30 days to communicate their decisions. The successful approval by 24 states within this period demonstrates a significant consensus on the need for police reform legislation.

Throughout the process, there were intermittent updates on the progress of state approvals. On October 9, the Senate expressed confidence in securing the necessary backing, with initial reports indicating approvals from four states: Edo, Oyo, Osun, and Rivers. By October 16, a report noted five states had approved, adding Zamfara to the list. Further progress was reported on October 21, with five more states—Ogun, Delta, Plateau, Kwara, and Adamawa—bringing the total to ten before the final announcement of 24. This consistent momentum culminated in the current landmark achievement, which the Working Group believes will facilitate a smooth transition to a dual policing system, ultimately aimed at making Nigerians safer. Gbajabiamila had also previously indicated on October 15 that the draft National Policing Bill was 90 percent complete and nearing transmission to the National Assembly.

Lawyers and compliance officers in Nigeria should closely monitor the final assent to the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, as the approval by 24 state assemblies signals the imminent establishment of a dual policing system. This will necessitate understanding new jurisdictional boundaries, potential shifts in law enforcement powers, and compliance requirements under both federal and state police structures once the National Policing Bill is enacted.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH