National Assembly: Nigeria State Police Bill Ready for Tinubu Assent After 28 State Approvals

• The National Assembly is set to transmit the proposed State Police Bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
• This action follows the authentication of approvals from 28 State Houses of Assembly, surpassing the constitutional requirement of 24 states.
• The bill seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to establish State Police Services and decentralize policing.
• Kamoru Ogunlana, Clerk to the National Assembly, confirmed the administrative verification of these state approvals.
• Proponents argue the legislation will enable states to respond more effectively to local security challenges like kidnapping and banditry.

This impending legislation represents a pivotal moment in Nigeria's security landscape, aiming to fundamentally alter the nation's law enforcement structure.

The National Assembly is preparing to forward the proposed State Police Bill to President Bola Tinubu for his final approval. This crucial step follows the successful authentication of endorsements from 28 state Houses of Assembly, a number that surpasses the constitutionally mandated threshold. Kamoru Ogunlana, the Clerk to the National Assembly, confirmed this development in a statement released on Tuesday.

Ogunlana’s office has meticulously verified the reports and accompanying Votes and Proceedings submitted by the state legislatures. This administrative process was undertaken to confirm the authenticity of the documents and ensure they accurately reflect the decisions made by each State House of Assembly. The successful completion of this verification paves the way for the bill's transmission to the President, in strict adherence to the Acts Authentication Act, CAP A2, (LEN) 2004.

The core objective of this significant legislation is to amend the 1999 Constitution, thereby paving the way for the establishment of State Police Services and addressing related matters. This initiative comes amidst growing calls for a decentralized policing system, seen by many as a necessary reform to effectively tackle Nigeria’s complex security challenges. The process began on September 16, 2026, when the bill was initially dispatched to all 36 State Houses of Assembly for their consideration and approval, with a request for responses within 30 days.

Although the initial deadline for responses was October 15, 2026, the Clerk’s office continued to accept reports from state legislatures until the necessary conditions for presidential transmission were met. The 28 approvals received significantly exceed the constitutional requirement, which stipulates that not less than two-thirds of the 36 state legislatures, equivalent to 24 states, must approve such an amendment, as outlined in Section 9 of the Constitution. Furthermore, Ogunlana clarified that Section 9 does not explicitly mandate a Third Reading for a constitutional alteration bill, distinguishing it from the procedure typically applied to ordinary bills.

This impending legislation represents a pivotal moment in Nigeria's security landscape, aiming to fundamentally alter the nation's law enforcement structure. For years, the debate surrounding the creation of state police has been a central point of discussion, with proponents advocating for its implementation as a means to enhance local security responses. They argue that a decentralized system would empower states to more effectively address specific threats such as kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, and communal violence, which often require localized solutions.

Currently, Nigeria operates under a centrally controlled police system, with the Nigeria Police Force holding exclusive jurisdiction across the country. State governments presently lack the authority to establish and command their own independent police forces. The proposed Nigeria State Police Bill, if it receives President Tinubu's assent, would fundamentally shift this paradigm, allowing states greater autonomy in managing their internal security affairs and potentially leading to a more responsive and tailored approach to law enforcement across the federation.

This development signals a significant step towards the establishment of state police forces in Nigeria, which will fundamentally alter the law enforcement landscape. Lawyers and compliance officers should closely monitor President Tinubu's assent and subsequent implementation details, as this will impact criminal defense strategies, corporate security protocols, and compliance requirements related to state-level policing powers and regulations.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH