Nigeria's push for state police is progressing slowly, with only four of the 36 states having approved the proposed constitutional amendment so far. Edo, Osun, Oyo, and Rivers states have officially backed the 1999 Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, which would allow states to establish and operate their own police forces.
National Assembly Sends Bill to State Assemblies
The National Assembly transmitted the bill to all 36 state Houses of Assembly on September 16, giving them an administrative timeframe of 30 days to communicate their resolutions. However, as of the latest count, only these four states have completed their consideration of the proposal.
Edo State is among the first to approve the constitutional change, contributing to the growing support for devolving policing powers from the federal government to the states. Osun State has also given its approval, signaling support for the constitutional change required for states to manage their own law enforcement.
Oyo and Rivers Join the List
Oyo State has backed the amendment, adding to the push for a policing structure that would give state governments greater responsibility for security. Rivers State has also voted in favour, bringing the total number of approving states to four.
The approval threshold for the constitutional amendment to advance is 24 states. With only four states on board, the proposal remains far from the required number. Several other state assemblies are still considering the proposal or have yet to begin deliberations.
Next Steps for the State Police Amendment
The 30-day response timeframe set by the National Assembly is intended to expedite the process, but the slow pace of approvals suggests that the bill may face delays. If the required 24 states do not approve the amendment, the proposal cannot move to the next stage of the constitutional process.
The state police bill is part of a broader effort to address security challenges in Nigeria by giving states more control over law enforcement. However, the current level of support indicates that significant work remains to build consensus among state legislatures. The next few weeks will be critical as more state assemblies are expected to deliberate on the bill.
