Nigeria’s state police amendment bill to be ratified

Nigeria's parliament has forwarded a constitutional amendment bill to the country's 36 state assemblies for approval, aiming to establish state police forces as part of President Bola Tinubu's security overhaul efforts. The Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, which includes provisions for state police, has been cleared by federal lawmakers and sent to the state assemblies for consideration.

National Assembly clerk Kamoru Ogunlana stated that the states are required to respond with their resolutions within 30 days, though the deadline is administrative and not constitutionally mandated. For the bill to become law, it must receive approval from at least two-thirds of the state assemblies, which amounts to 24 out of the 36 states.

Proponents argue that state police would enhance local security responses by decentralizing policing powers from the federal government. Other constitutional amendments under review encompass local government autonomy, independent candidacies, reserved legislative seats for women, and citizenship by investment. Upon ratification by the necessary number of state assemblies, the bill would represent one of the most substantial changes to Nigeria's security and governance structure since the nation transitioned to civilian rule in 1999.