The National Assembly is preparing to transmit the State Police Bill to President Bola Tinubu following the endorsement of a constitutional amendment by 28 state houses of assembly.
This legislative move marks a significant step in the effort to decentralise law enforcement in Nigeria, a process aimed at addressing the persistent security challenges across the country. The endorsement by 28 states provides the necessary legislative weight to move the bill towards presidential assent.
The Clerk to the National Assembly had previously transmitted the bill to all 36 state houses of assembly on 16 September 2026. The states were requested to communicate their decisions regarding the proposed changes within a 30-day window, a period that has now concluded.
Legislative threshold and security implications
The endorsement from 28 states is particularly consequential as it meets the required two-thirds majority threshold of state legislatures needed to pass such a constitutional amendment. This support paves the way for a fundamental shift in Nigeria’s security architecture, which currently centralises policing under the federal Nigeria Police Force.
Proponents of the bill argue that the establishment of state-level police forces will allow for more responsive law enforcement. They suggest that local officers will possess better intelligence and a deeper understanding of the communities they serve, which could prove effective in tackling regional issues such as banditry, kidnapping, and communal clashes.
However, the proposal continues to face scrutiny from various stakeholders. Critics have raised concerns regarding the potential for state governors to utilise local police forces for partisan political purposes. Additionally, questions remain regarding the financial capacity of individual states to fund, equip, and maintain independent police units without overstretching sub-national budgets.
The transmission of the bill to the Presidency follows the conclusion of the state-level consultation and approval process. With the legislative requirements met, the National Assembly is now proceeding to the final stage of the process.
Once the bill is formally presented to President Tinubu, he will have the authority to sign it into law or exercise his veto power by returning it to the National Assembly. If the President grants his assent, the amendment will formally allow for the creation of state police forces across the federation.
The National Assembly is expected to complete the formal handover of the bill to the Presidency in the coming days.
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