Nigeria's parliament forwards state police amendment to all 36 state assemblies

The National Assembly clerk, Kamoru Ogunlana, announced that the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, which proposes the establishment of state police, has been passed by federal legislators and dispatched to Nigeria's 36 state assemblies. States have been asked to return their resolutions within 30 days, though the deadline is not constitutionally binding. For the amendment to take effect, at least 24 assemblies must approve it.

Supporters claim that state-level police will improve response to localized security challenges, a priority for President Bola Tinubu as the country faces worsening violence before the upcoming elections. The bill joins other pending constitutional changes on local government autonomy, independent candidacy, reserved seats for women, and citizenship by investment. If ratified, it would represent one of the most extensive reforms to Nigeria's security framework since the return to civilian rule in 1999.