Nigeria’s push for state police crossed a major constitutional milestone on Friday after 24 of the country’s 36 state Houses of Assembly approved the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, meeting the two-thirds requirement under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution.
Reports by Vanguard, Daily Post and other outlets listed the 24 approving states as: Adamawa, Delta, Edo, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, Zamfara, Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Ekiti, Kebbi, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Abia, Yobe and Kaduna.
The National Assembly transmitted the bill to the state legislatures on September 16 and asked for resolutions within 30 days, though the period is an administrative target rather than a constitutional deadline. State assemblies are expected to turn in their inputs by October 29.
The approvals span both southern and northern Nigeria. Vanguard reported that 14 of the 17 southern states and 10 of the 19 northern states had endorsed the reform. Kaduna’s assembly unanimously backed the amendment on Thursday, with lawmakers saying state police would strengthen community security, protect lives and property, and create employment for youths. Abia’s Deputy Speaker, Austin Nmeregini, said decentralised policing would help states respond more effectively to local security challenges.
Twelve states were still being awaited in the initial tally: Lagos, Ondo, Ebonyi, Kogi, Niger, Borno, Gombe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Katsina, Kano and Sokoto. However, separate reports on Friday said Gombe had also approved the bill, potentially raising the count to 25. The National Assembly is yet to formally verify and reconcile all state resolutions, meaning the amendment process is not yet complete.
Supporters argue state police will improve intelligence gathering and emergency response, while critics worry about political interference, funding and possible misuse by governors.