The National Assembly has confirmed that 28 State Houses of Assembly have approved the constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police, paving the way for its transmission to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
The development was announced in a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, on Tuesday.
“The Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly wishes to inform the general public that it has received reports from 28 State Houses of Assembly indicating their approval of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, seeking to provide for the establishment of State Police Services and related matters,” the statement read in part.
According to the Clerk, the bill was transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly on September 16, 2026, for consideration and approval, with a request that their decisions be communicated to the National Assembly within 30 days.
However, Ogunlana disclosed that only 28 states had approved the bill as of October 15, when the stipulated period expired.
“The stipulated period elapsed on 15 October 2026, but my Office shall continue to accept reports from the State Houses of Assembly until the bill is transmitted for assent.
“Following the receipt and verification of the reports, the Office confirms that 28 State Houses of Assembly have approved the Bill.
“This represents more than the constitutionally prescribed threshold of not less than two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, equivalent to 24 states, as required under Section 9 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999,” he stated.
The National Assembly also disclosed that it had completed the necessary administrative verification of the reports and accompanying votes and proceedings to establish their authenticity and ensure that the records accurately reflected the decisions of the respective State Houses of Assembly.
Addressing the legislative procedure, the Clerk clarified that Section 9 of the Constitution does not expressly require a Third Reading for a Constitution Alteration Bill, unlike the procedure applicable to ordinary bills.
With the required number of state approvals secured, the National Assembly said arrangements were underway to transmit the bill to President Tinubu for assent.
“In view of the approvals secured from the required number of State Houses of Assembly, the necessary administrative processes are being undertaken to facilitate the transmission of the Bill to His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for assent, in accordance with the Acts Authentication Act, CAP A2, (LFN) 2004,” the statement added.
The National Assembly commended the State Houses of Assembly for their cooperation and timely consideration of the constitutional amendment, describing it as a significant step towards strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture and deepening its federal system.
It also assured the public that it would continue to provide accurate and timely updates on developments relating to the constitutional amendment process.
