State Police Bill Clears Constitutional Hurdle

….24 States Approve Amendment

Nigeria’s proposed state police system has crossed a major constitutional hurdle after 24 State Houses of Assembly approved the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, meeting the two-thirds threshold required from the 36 states.

The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill announced this on Friday, October 23, commending the state assemblies and the National Assembly for supporting the reform.

According to the Working Group’s chairman, Femi Gbajabiamila, the amendment can now return to the National Assembly for transmission to President Bola Tinubu for assent, in line with Section 9 of the Constitution.

The approval provides constitutional backing for the proposed dual policing system, which the draft National Policing Bill, 2026, is designed to implement.

Gbajabiamila said the draft bills were undergoing legislative drafting review and validation at the Federal Ministry of Justice and were expected back by October 30, 2026.

The Working Group will give the bills final consideration before presenting them to the President.

It also urged stakeholders to support a smooth transition to a dual policing system aimed at improving public safety across Nigeria.