The numbers of states constitutional required to approve the establishment of state police has been met after 24 State Assemblies passed the (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, in the constitution amendment process.
The development signals the crossing of a major hurdle and now permits the amendment process to move to another level.
Expressing satisfaction with the development, the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, in a statement on Friday, said the approvals met the constitutional requirement of at least two-thirds of the 36 state assemblies.
The group, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, commended the state legislatures for their support for the reform, while acknowledging the National Assembly for passing the amendment in both chambers.
According to the statement, the amendment can now be returned to the National Assembly for transmission to President Bola Tinubu for assent, in accordance with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
It added that the legislative approval provides the constitutional foundation for the proposed dual policing framework, which the draft National Policing Bill, 2026, is designed to operationalise.
The working group disclosed that its draft bills were undergoing legislative drafting review and validation at the Federal Ministry of Justice and were expected to be returned on or before Friday, October 30, 2026.
The group said it would give the bills final consideration upon their return before presenting them to the President.
It urged stakeholders to support a smooth transition to a dual policing system, expressing confidence that the reform would strengthen policing and improve the safety and security of Nigerians.
