By TheDailyNewsHub Reporter
Nigeria has moved closer to establishing state police following the endorsement of the proposed constitutional amendment by 30 State Houses of Assembly, paving the way for its transmission to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, announced the development during plenary on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, describing it as a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to decentralise its policing system.
The National Assembly subsequently transmitted the constitutional amendment bill to the President after the required approvals were secured.
The development followed the confirmation that more than two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 state legislatures had endorsed the proposal. Under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, at least 24 state assemblies must approve a constitutional amendment before it can proceed to the next stage.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele read out the names of the 30 approving states during plenary, while the Senate also extended the deadline for the remaining six state assemblies to communicate their positions.
The proposed amendment seeks to alter the Constitution to provide for the establishment of State Police Services, allowing state governments to establish and operate their own police forces alongside the existing Nigeria Police Force.
Supporters of the reform argue that decentralised policing would improve intelligence gathering, strengthen community-based security and enable authorities to respond more effectively to threats such as kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and communal violence.
However, the proposal has also generated concerns about possible political interference, inadequate funding, accountability and the potential misuse of state-controlled security institutions.
The transmission to Tinubu represents another important stage in the constitutional amendment process. The President’s assent is expected to complete the process required for the proposed constitutional changes to take effect.
The move comes amid persistent security challenges across Nigeria and renewed calls for reforms that would give states greater responsibility for addressing threats within their territories.