The National Assembly has transmitted the State Police Bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent. The bill proposes a constitutional amendment to establish state police services. Twenty-nine state houses of assembly approved the amendment. This exceeds the constitutional requirement of 24 out of 36 states. Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau made the announcement during Wednesday’s plenary. He read a notice from the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana.
The 1999 Constitution places policing under exclusive federal control. Governors have demanded decentralisation for years. In 2014, the National Conference recommended state police. In 2023, the National Assembly failed to pass a constitutional amendment. In 2026, Osun became the first state to approve the bill. Delta followed. The current amendment retains the Nigeria Police Force as the federal service. It allows states to establish and fund their own police services. The two-thirds threshold is constitutional. Clearing it is a milestone.
The notice stated that the required tally was secured at the close of business on Tuesday, 3 November 2026. “The leadership of the National Assembly has directed the Clerk to transmit the Bill today, Wednesday, the 4th day of November 2026, to His Excellency, the President, for assent,” it read. If signed, the bill will allow individual states to establish and operate their own police forces.
The reform is widely seen as a measure to decentralise policing. Supporters say it will enhance local intelligence gathering. They say it will improve response times. Critics warn that governors will weaponise state forces against opponents. They point to the absence of safeguards in the current amendment. The state laws that follow will determine the extent of oversight.
Winners: State governors, who gain policing powers. Communities, if local forces improve security. The National Assembly, which advances reform. State assemblies, which asserted their constitutional role. Losers: The federal police, which loses its monopoly. Civil society groups, which fear abuse. Opposition parties in states controlled by rival governors. Taxpayers, if state police duplicate costs without delivering safety.
Bottom Line: The bill is with the president. He must sign it. The safeguards are not written. State police can protect or oppress. The difference is oversight. Nigeria must get it right.